Page 91 of Unconventionally, Elle
A little crowd had started to form around us--some tourists, a few runners--and people had taken out their phones to record.
This is going to be embarrassing as fuck if he rejects me, I thought while holding my smile.
He hadn't responded yet, and I could hear murmuring. His ears began to turn red as he looked around at all the bystanders.
Jude was a body length away from me; he was close. I could smell the citrus from his cologne. I could feel his attention now directed only at me. I saw his upper lip slowly rise, and I knew he had me.
I was very aware that I was standing on the edge of the fountain and that his arms were slowly opening. I barely whispered it, but he heard me. "Will you catch me?" I said as I leaned forward.
It was us. Back on that balcony, back in that moment. Except this time, I wasn't lost and it wasn't dark. Pure light radiated around me. My Jude. He opened his arms wider. "Let me catch you."
This time I didn't fall, I jumped right into his outstretched arms.
The crowd broke out into applause. While slightly embarrassing, it was also endearing. They were rooting for us too.
Jude placed me down in front of him, our bodies vibrating with adrenaline and happiness.
"It was always you and me, wasn't it?" I asked, placing both my hands on his chest and leaning into his body. "At least, it's what I've come to think," I said as I lifted my face and he tilted his chin.
Our noses touched and both of us smiled, our lips almost brushing.
His breath went shallow. "Are you mine?" he asked, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead to mine.
"I'm finally yours," I whispered and pulled him into a deep, tender kiss.
Epilogue
Two years later
JUDE
I stood on our tiny balcony in Dumbo next to Elle's struggling succulents and took in a deep breath of New York air. It was a warm summer evening, and the Brooklyn Bridge sparkled while I nursed my scotch. Our version of New York was magical. It was home. I imagined all the nights we'd sat out here together and I'd held her body close, our breathing synced while we watched the city lights shimmer.
I took another sip and heard the slow cooker's timer going off in the kitchen. Another big inhale and I stood up, taking in the city one more time. It never got old.
Once inside, I walked into our little galley kitchen and turned the timer off. My stomach rumbled as I lifted the lid off of the pot. The aroma of my mother's red beans with a hint of bell pepper, fennel, and andouille sausage spread through the house. I thought Elle would be in the kitchen before I stopped stirring, but Louie came through instead. I glanced down at the little terror and stuck my tongue out.
"Not for you."
He just stared at me with his flat nose high in the air.
"Go away, Lou. Go get Mommy."
He didn't move. That damn dog never listened to me and only moved when Elle moved. The little bastard had his spot between us in bed too, and unfortunately for me, I got the lower, very flatulent half. I'm more than grateful for my sleep apnea mask these days. Fucking Barrett Henry. He had to give her the dog...
In all honesty, Lou and I didn't hate each other. We both knew Elle would choose the dog over me in a second, but when she wasn't around, we had an unwritten code between us: Louie behaved and listened up until the moment Mommy walked back through the door. I'd never press it, but the dog really did love me. He just wanted me to earn it in front of Elle.
"Babe, the red beans are almost done. You ready to eat?"
Silence.
"Babe? Elle?"
I waited a few seconds--nothing.
Curious, I tilted my head around the corner and saw her sitting on the couch typing. She heard nothing while her oversized red headphones covered her ears.
Shaking my head, I looked down at Louie and rolled my eyes, looking for some inkling of camaraderie. He mean-mugged the fuck out of me and farted as he walked away.Typical, I thought as I went over to the living room.
