Page 105 of The Burbs and the Bees
I take one breath and then another. Instead of sliding my palm into his, I say, “No.”
He fumbles backward a bit, like I just sucker punched him. “Alyson. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay here and fight for you. I have to go back for the wedding but—”
“Come with me,” I say.
He nods his head in understanding. “You want to stay here, in New York, then?”
Good God, the man is dense. “I’m saying you need to come with me.”
“Where?”
“Does it matter?”
He takes a fast breath and puts his hands on my trembling body. “No, because whatever you want, I want to give to you, and wherever you are, it’s where I want to be. If you want to stay here in New York and give me a chance, then I’ll stay here with you. You are the most important person in the world to me, Alyson. I love my family, you know that, but I love you so goddamn much, nothing makes sense anymore. I’m miserable without you.” His eyes move over my face. “What I’m saying is, if you want to make a life here, I want to make one here with you. You’re the whole package, marriage material, and I’m glad that douche couldn’t see it. Otherwise, I never would have met you.”
Tears sting my eyes as I search his face and find nothing but honesty and sincerity. Is this really happening? Jay would give up the farm for me? Stay in a city he hates for me? Break a promise to his dad for me?
“Jay,” I say, my throat closing over as tears spill. I swipe at them and sniff. “Come with me.”
“Okay,” he says, and I take his hand. We walk through the living room, and all eyes turn our way. My God, this man sticks out like an apple tree springing up on a New York City sidewalk, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Silence surrounds us as I lead him upstairs and into the spare bedroom. “This is where I’ve been staying.”
He sits on the bed. “You didn’t go back to your condo?”
“No, I gave it up. You see, it was a safety net, kind of like what you said to me.” He opens his mouth to speak but this time I press my finger to his lips. “I was a spoiled little rich girl who wanted to make it on her own but didn’t know how. I can see why you judged me, Jay.” He swallows hard. “I judged you, too. We both had preconceived notions based on our upbringings, our own experiences, but I think we were really wrong about so many things.” I walk away from him and open my laptop. “Look at this.”
I place the laptop on his knees, and he zeroes in on the words. “You’re writing,” he finally says.
“Yes, I am. For the first time in my life, I’m focused.” I give a half laugh, half snort. “You see, I don’t have a trust fund to fall back on, so I really need to get my shit together.”
He smirks. “I’m so happy you’re writing, Alyson. This is going to be fantastic.”
“Yeah, it is,” I say. “I based my story on all my experiences over the last month.”
“So, it’s a romantic comedy?” he asks with a laugh.
I roll my eyes. “Could it be anything else?”
“No, I don’t think so.” He points to the screen. “I’m in this, right?”
I arch one brow playfully. “Everyone needs a comedic sidekick.”
“Hey.”
“Kidding. You’re the main character.”
“Then when it comes out, I’m going to be the first in line to buy it.”
I frown and look down. “Only one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“It doesn’t have a happily ever after.”
He stares at me for a moment, and I give his brain a second to catch up. “Shit,” he says and places the laptop on the bed as he goes down on one knee. “I love you, Alyson.”
My heart bursts with all the love and want bubbling up inside me. “I love you, too.” I touch his cheek. “You believed in me, and I know you still do. That’s what gave me the courage and drive to write. I’m sticking to this, Jay.”
