Page 117 of Only Fate

She rolls her eyes, ignoring my hand, but rises from her chair. “You’re insufferable.” As she walks toward the exit, she says, “This was such a setup.” Her ponytail swings through the air with every stride she takes.

“A setup I will definitely not complain about,” I say to her back as she waves goodbye to the hostess, who then tells us to have a good day.

“Of course you aren’t complaining.” She opens the door and walks outside.

“In my defense, I had no idea of said setup.”

I wish my abuela had told me, though, so I could’ve been better prepared. I’d have brought flowers and had one of those romantic apologetic speeches planned.

But not that I really need that shit. It’s so easy to come up with reasons I want her to be mine, why I’m in love with her, and I have no problem admitting my wrongs. I’m perfectly okay with groveling.

She makes a right, not toward the parked cars but down the sidewalk toward her office.

“I miss you,” I say to her back.

She keeps walking.

“Tell me what I have to do to make things right.”

She doesn’t stop.

I run my hand through my hair, and my voice almost sounds pained when I say, “Essie, my life is lost without you.”

She whips around to face me, shock on her face.

I take a step toward her, and surprisingly, she doesn’t pull or shove me away.

I’m pushing my limits as I grow closer and closer.

She stays in place. When I reach her, my movements are careful as I cup her face in my hand. Her lower lip trembles.

“You make me a better man, Essie. You make me feel like I have a life.”

“Adrian,” she whispers.

“I was so lost in my day-to-day routine, not living life, until you showed up and changed everything for me. When I went to bed, I couldn’t wait until I got to talk to you in the morning. Even when I was sleeping, I dreamed of you. You consumed my every thought. My life is empty without you. I’m begging you,please, tell me how I can make this right.”

All she has to do is tell mewhat.

I’ll do it, no matter how hard.

Because nothing can be harder than knowing I lost her.

Abso-fucking-lutely nothing.

I moved to Blue Beech to win Essie back, but now, I want more.

I want us to build a life here.

To build happiness.

I don’t care about being the best attorney, or a promotion, oranything. All I care about is spending my life with her.

A soreness forms in my throat.

I want to say more but also want to give her time to reply.

Though, from the sadness on her face, I’m unsure if she will.

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