Page 2 of Yours, Finally
Gabe nodded and left with Max and Javier, and Jake turned to me with a friendly grin.
He offered me his arm. "Shall we?"
I told myself the butterflies in my stomach were confused little insects, but I put my arm around his, and let him walk with me. It forced me to confront how entwined my life was to Jake's, and how far apart we were from ever discovering something else.
My steps slowed when we approached the bar and a long line greeted us.
He groaned. "Fun. I don't think the organizers are going to try something new again. I doubt they'll skip servers again next year."
"A bar didn't simplify anything." I sighed for what seemed like the millionth time that night. "Suddenly I'm not thirsty anymore."
"What do you want to do? Should we go find Gabe and the guys again?"
"You can go. I'll go take a break. I bet it's lovely outside."
He frowned. "I can't let you go alone. I'll go with you. Keep you company."
I didn't argue.
Arm-in-arm, we approached the big, imposing doors leading to the patio. Jake opened one of them to let us outside but didn't offer his arm again. The loss of his proximity was the first thing to rob me of a few degrees of warmth, but I didn't complain.
We walked along the fancy pavers of the terrace and onto the gravel paths weaving through the grounds. The hall building boasted a gorgeous garden at the back of the property; it hosted wonderful brunch and summer night parties. Lamps shone their warm light on shadowed, dark greenery of different shapes and sizes, and brought the flower beds to a muted glow.
My dress, a wonderful, strapless, glittery thing did nothing to protect me from the cool air, and I welcomed the sensation on my skin.
"Won't you get cold?" Jake asked. "Do you want my jacket?"
It seemed better to enjoy the night temperature than to torment myself with his jacket around me. What if I got attacked by his cologne? I might embarrass myself.
"I'm good." I shook my head. "We won't take long. It's just a short walk to clear the mind."
"A lot weighing you down? You don't seem your usual cheery self tonight."
"I know I have to attend the gala once in a while, and I didn't mind too much in the past but… you're right. Tonight it's just not it."
"I thought you'd be happy to celebrate your promotion. Congratulations, again, by the way."
I smiled. Among all the shitty things to happen of late, becoming a Vice President in my family's conglomerate was a bright spot. Joy swelled inside with Jake's words; I had workedhard to meet the expectations that came with being the owners' daughter.
"Thanks. I'm happy I get to be a part of the family business my own way… and make my parents proud in the process."
"Your parents would be proud of you no matter what."
"That's true." I grinned. "I could have taken my degrees elsewhere, and they would have supported me. They have a knack for being that kind of awesome."
His chuckle was deep and rumbly. It sent shivers down my spine.
To think I believed that a walk with the man I thought of as a lighthouse, unreciprocated, would be neutral territory.
You fooled yourself, Vi. You wanted him for yourself, even if for a little while.
"They are the most wonderful people I've ever met." He shared the statement with a frown, looking at the ground as we walked. "You and your whole family are."
That was a lovely sentiment… and all I could think was that I wanted him to say something like that aboutme.
I didn't judge myself too harshly for my mood. My most recent breakup had been more of the same; a guy that failed to care aboutus. All of my exes were either too hung up on their own egos, or cared more about the money within my reach.
All of those relationships had fizzled out— quickly. I didn't think they'd ever cheated, either. Yet all of them had been with me for the wrong reasons. I gave them a chance, crossing my fingers that the initial spark of interest for someone would grow into more… but it never did. Something always happened to turn me off them. It sucked, but I couldn't say they had ever flourished into what I wanted.
