Page 85 of Paradise in Progress
Kennedy turns to me, moisture seeping from her tired eyes as her cheeks turn a light shade of pink. Her gaze bounces around the roomas she takes in the crowd that’s gathered. Those from the meeting are frozen behind me, while others who were at their desks are now standing, their heads peeking over their cubicles. Shock has her hoping I’ll stop my declaration, but I’ve fully committed now.
“I love you,” I say as my voice cracks. “I’m in love with you, Kennedy Reed. I screwed up by letting you walk away. I should’ve fought harder for you, and that’s a regret I have to live with. I was hoping that the decision would be reversed. And I was trying to prevent this.” I gesture between us.
“I was blindsided,” she says with a shaky exhale. There’s a mix of emotions there—hurt, betrayal, anger, and something softer. I hope it’s love. If there’s an ounce of love left in her soul for me, I can work with that. I can prove to her what she means to me. I’ll water that love and nurture it while it grows.
“I messed up.” I take another step forward. “I let the insecure boy seep into the conversation when he should have been buried a long time ago. You helped show me that it was okay to be myself, to let go of the desire to please and to find what I’m passionate about again. You helped heal me, Ken, and I don’t even think you realize that. Instead of fighting for myself, I made decisions to appease my dad, to keep the peace in our relationship. You peeled back my layers and showed me it’s okay to fight for what I want. And that’s you, Kennedy.”
Tears pour openly down her cheeks, and even though we are in a crowded office with people staring at us, it feels like it’s just her and I. I wait on bated breath as I wait for her to respond. Her mouth opens and closes, but nothing comes out. My chest tightens more and more as each second passes.
“You hurt me,” is all she whispers, and it’s filled with pain.
“I know, baby. I’m so sorry.” It’s as if there’s a cosmic pull that forces us to erase the space between us until her heels hit the toes of my dress shoes.
Tentatively, I reach up and cup her cheek, wiping her tears in the process. “You and me, we’re a paradise in progress. I’ll fight like hell until our foundation is strong and stable.”
She chokes on a sob as she melts into my touch. “Don’t push me aside again, Tristan. My heart can’t handle being ripped away from yours.”
Her delicate fingers trail up my jacket’s lapels until she’s gripping the material. She pulls me toward her while reaching up on her feet, and as our lips finally meet, fireworks shoot from behind my eyes with both elation and relief. Cheers fill the office floor, and I’m reminded that all our co-workers are watching us.
With much reluctance, our lips fall away, and I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Firecracker.”
“I love you, too.”
Chapter thirty-five
Kennedy
It’s been two weekssince Tristan and I had our movie moment in the middle of the office floor. The entire thing felt like a scene from one of the rom-coms Olivia and I grew up watching. We’ve been working on mending our relationship and taking things slow, but we’re still together. St. Lucia forced us to have real conversations, but living together escalated our relationship. Now that we’re back in New York, we’ve been dating at a much slower pace.
When I accepted his speech about getting back together, I was still angry at him. But, I mean, there was no way I was saying no in front of our entire floor of co-workers. It’s like those people who propose in front of everyone you know. You say yes, and then call it off in private. Only I have no intention of breaking things off with Tristan. In fact, I hope to keep him forever, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Today, I’m meeting his family during their weekly Sunday dinner. My nerves have my stomach aching. I’ve met most of his family, everyone except his mom, formally, but that was at the office, and this is inside their home for a dinner that she prepared for us. It’s terrifying. Especially being outside the office with Mr. Nelson.
“You look beautiful,” Tristan murmurs in my ear as he kisses my pulse point. The two of us walk hand-in-hand down the sidewalk toward his parents’ brownstone. The air is still crisp, but the sun shines high in the sky. After weeks of gloom, walking in the sunshine is everything I didn’t know I needed. The rays warm my skin, slightly easing the anxiousness swirling inside me.
The Nelsons’ brownstone comes into view. With Tristan’s hand on my lower back, he guides me up the stairs. “Relax, Firecracker.”
Glancing up at him, I try to paste on a reassuring smile, but his small chuckle tells me it looks more like a grimace. Wiping my hands on my leopard print skirt for what feels like the tenth time, I hope the sweat is removed before I have to shake his mother’s hand.
He doesn’t even get the chance to knock—or push open the door—before it’s being opened for us. Standing in the doorway is his mother. Her bright hazel eyes match her son’s as they stare at me with a welcoming warmth. She wears her brunette hair pulled back and secured behind her head, smile blinding as it lights up her face.
“You’re here!” she shouts, pulling Tristan into a hug as I stand still beside him, watching their interaction.
He wraps his arms around her back and pulls her in tight. As she rocks them back and forth, I can’t help grinning. It’s too cute.
Tristan grumbles some unintelligible, and she lets him go as her gaze slides over to me.
“Mom, I’d like you to meet Kennedy Reed.”
Reaching my hand out, I pray it isn’t sweaty. “Mrs. Nelson, it’s a pleasure—”
My words are cut off as she flicks her wrist in my direction before embracing me. The connection is full of love, hope, and excitement.It almost makes me forget how nervous I am. “Nonsense, sweetie. The first girl Tristan brings home can call me Krista.”
The only girl?Quirking an eyebrow, I look over her shoulder and meet her son’s gaze. He lifts one shoulder and shrugs, as if he’s answering my unspoken question.
As she pulls away, she reaches down and squeezes my hand. “Come on in. Food’s almost ready.”
With her back to us, I take the opportunity to admire the beautiful home. As we step inside, the grand entryway features a large, dark, wooden staircase that contrasts against the warm beige walls and light-colored carpet. Even before I’m instructed to, I step aside and begin slipping out of my booties.
