Page 112 of Yours, Finally

I pulled her arms away from me, and held her hands on my lap. "I need a chance at a session, if Vanessa can fit me in. Please. I don't want to do this without that help— I owe it to you and everyone to unfuck myself before I do this."

"Jake… this isn't sitting well with me."

"Let me do this. Please, Vi. Let me prove to you that I will scream my love for you from the rooftops. I simply need a day or two to figure it out. How I'm going to tell the truth to Gabe and your parents. I'll take their reaction for us. I promise you that by the time of the party all of this is going to be better."

"I don't need you toproveit—"

"I need it, Vi. I'm not sure why yet, but I need to prove to you I can be the kind of guy you deserve."

"But you are—"

"Vi. Please."

She ground her teeth. Her eyes filled with tears. My heart ached but, in the middle of the turbulent last hour, that certainty had become a cornerstone.

"The hero isn't supposed to ask permission for a grand gesture," she said. "I never thought it would be this hard to say yes."

I scooted closer and held her face in my hands. "Maybe we're writing our own version of romance."

"As long as we get our happily ever after…" Sadness weighed down her smile.

"We will." I ran a thumb over her bottom lip.

"Next time I tell you I love you, I hope you take it in."

I smiled and gave her a soft kiss. "Me too."

Chapter 33

Sunday Evening

Jake: How was everything with your family?

Vi: It was nice. Getting to spend time with aunts and uncles and cousins was lovely.

Jake: I'm sorry I wasn't there with you.

Vi: I missed you, but it helped to know we would have had to pretend we were friends the whole time. We wouldn't have been able to hug and kiss, which is what I'd like

Jake: Soon we won't have to pretend anymore

Vi: I want everyone to know

Jake: I know. We will tell everyone.

Vi: How are you feeling?

Jake: I'm okay. Feeling calmer now. I sent an email to Vanessa. We'll see what she says tomorrow when she goes into her office

Vi: Let me know.

Jake: Can I stop by your office and steal a kiss from you at some point tomorrow?

Vi: first thing, please.

Monday

Jake: Vanessa emailed that she can fit me in this morning and I took the session. I don't think I'll be able to see you at the office until the afternoon