Page 122 of Only You
‘They did not have the patience to deal with each other’s families so I’m going to say no.’
‘So, you have no faith in them getting married? Not even a little?’
Dani hummed in contemplation before shaking her head.
‘Looking back on it, Selene was already gone,’ she said. ‘Maybe she wouldn’t have left him so soon, but I think she would’ve eventually. Whether or not she still had feelings for Demir, the one thing he showed her was that she and Jack didn’t fit well together. She just wasn’t ready for the truth.’
‘Wow.’ Jones was impressed at the insight. Dani nudged his shoulder, bringing him back to the moment.
‘Go on,’ she urged. ‘Selene leaves…’
‘Dizzy Gillespie comes into town,’ Jones continued. ‘They both go to the concert and see each other there. They talk, maybe have a moment of denial but, ultimately, they decide to try. It works, and they live happily ever after.’
‘No kids or marriage?’
Jones shook his head. ‘It doesn’t suit them.’
‘I was thinking the same thing.’ They stared at each other, the idyllic endings lingering just out of reach.
What beautiful dreams…
‘Let’s go on a date.’
Jones froze for a long moment before clearing his throat. ‘Doesn’t that go against our unspoken agreement?’ Heat crept up the back of his neck, his damn hopes rising once again.
‘It’s a stupid agreement,’ she said. ‘We’re here, together again. We get to try again. Why pass that up? I mean, I don’t know how much of this is past me talking or present me being tired of being in limbo but… I don’t want to have to get close to losing you to realise – again – all the things I’m missing. So, let’s just try.’
‘Dani…’
You are going to lose me. You’re a lot closer than you think.
As much as he knew he should say the words, they got caught in his throat. Hope brightened her eyes even as she nervously chewed her lip. The temptation was too much. This was the first time almost nothing stood in their way. Every part of him wanted to savour that, to be reckless just for a little longer, but he had been reckless before and what had that gotten him?
Still, the answer was inevitable.
‘Yes.’ He watched as her face lit up before she tried to contain her glee. ‘Yeah?’
He nodded, and Dani smiled. He allowed himself to return it, to cherish the moment before he cleared his throat. ‘But I want to help you look for an answer. There might be power in numbers there.’
She rolled her eyes playfully. ‘I guess a research assistant wouldn’t hurt,’ she agreed reluctantly, a smile on the edge of her lips.
His chest clenched at the sight, knowing what he said next would take it away. ‘And… I need to tell you something important.’
The words hung heavy between them, and her happiness turned solemn. He took a deep breath, ready to tell her the truth about everything but the words died as she cupped his face. She leaned towards him, stilling for a moment, her eyes questioning. He answered by closing the gap between them.
He had expected their first kiss in this life to feel familiar, having the lingering scent of French roses or the quietness of midnight. Instead, he could only focus on how slowly Dani moved, revelling in each kiss for as long as she could before giving him another. He breathed into her, enjoying the taste of honey and mint on her lips just as much. He felt her tremble when his fingers brushed her cheek, but she sank into him the moment he pulled her closer. She felt like relief, a salve to all the wounds he’d been carrying. They lingered in that moment for a small pocket of infinity before pulling away to catch their breath.
‘Tell me later,’ she whispered.
For a moment, Jones was lost, and it took a while to remember his unspoken confession. He opened his mouth to protest, but she shook her head, her eyes pleading for more time to linger in the promising feeling of the moment. Time was the most precious thing he had to give, so how could he deny her that?
‘You pick the date and I’ll bring the snacks,’ he said instead.
I’ll give you all the time I have left.
Dani raised her brow. ‘But what if we don’t need snacks?’
He looked at her indignantly. ‘Every date needs snacks,’ he insisted.
