Page 134 of Practice Makes Perfect
She lets out a small sound that might almost be a laugh.
I take another cautious step toward her. “The thing is, I’m not perfect. I’m going to mess up again. But I swear, I will never run from you again. I will always talk to you and always be honest, even when it’s hard.” I spread my hands. “That’s all I’ve got. That’s me—imperfect, occasionally an idiot, but in love with you.”
Em’s arms slowly uncross.
She looks at me for what feels like years, her eyes searching mine.
Then the timer Lea had set pings.
“Lea’s timer just ran out,” she says finally.
My heart sinks. “Right. Should I?—”
“But I think I can give you an extension.” She takes a single step toward me. “I mean, you flew all the way here from Idiotville. The least I can do is hear you out.”
The faint glimmer of hope in my chest expands. I’ve still got a chance.
Em smirks, the corner of her mouth lifting just enough to give me a dangerous spark of hope. “Especially because it’s you who’s finally speechless. That’s a first.”
I open my mouth, then close it again. It feels like her turn to talk.
“You want to know whatactuallyhurt?” she says, taking another step closer. “It’s that you didn’t trust me enough to help you through it.”
The truth of her words hits me square in the chest.
“After everything—” Her voice catches. “After everything, you still didn’t think I was strong enough to handle your problems. You treated me like I was fragile.”
“Em, no?—”
“Yes,” she cuts me off. “You shut me out completely. Do you have any idea how that feels? To watch someone you love hurting and have them push you away?”
I swallow hard. “I wasn’t thinking?—”
“No, you weren’t.” Her eyes lock with mine. “And you know what’s really ironic? This whole time, you’ve been helping me become stronger, more confident. You’ve been my rock. But when you needed support, you didn’t even give me the chance to be yours.”
Something shifts inside me—admiration mixing with shame. “You’re right,” I admit. “And honestly? I’m proud of you.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Proud? Ofwhatexactly?”
“Look at you.” I gesture toward her. “My idiotic behavior could have sent you spiraling. But here you are, standing up for yourself, calling me on my shit.”
Em blinks, looking momentarily surprised.
“That’s growth, Em,” I continue. “Real growth. And I’m terrified that I almost damaged that progress.”
“Yeah, well. Turns out I’m tougher than I thought.” She fidgets with the hem of her shirt. “I still love you, you idiot. But you don’t get to shut me out.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “So where does that leave us?”
Em sighs, wrapping her arms around herself again. “With conditions.”
“Name them.”
“First, you’re still meeting my family. That’s non-negotiable.” Her gaze is steady, unwavering. “My grandmother’s already planning the menu.”
I nod. “I was thinking of stealing some fancy French wine my dad keeps for special occasions. Think she’d like that?”
“Shameless bribery. She’ll love it.” Em takes a deep breath. “Second condition: no more running away when things get difficult. You talk to me. We figure it out.”
