Page 17 of The Charmer
I look like I’m about to have a nervous breakdown. Wild eyes and a panicked expression. All because a good man, a hardworking, decent, committed man has feelings for me.
God, what is wrong with me?
Isn’t this what I always wanted? Isn’t Reese the kind of man I wished for? The man I hoped I would meet, the one who would want me back? Even though I’m an emotionally damaged woman with trust issues.
But how can I trust that? How can I lean into it? Because if I do, when Reese leaves, I’ll be left with nothing. Too much heartbreak to stitch my heart back together, too much damage to repair.
“Jayde,” his voice grows closer.
I look up just as the bathroom door swings open and Reese enters. His eyes are shadowed in concern. Automatically, he flips the lock on the door and reaches for me, his hands holding mine.
Safe. Stable. Secure.
“This is the woman’s bathroom,” I point out, flustered.
He smirks. “Tell me if you need a minute, Jayde. Tell me and I’ll give you space. But if you need me…” He pauses and a worried look flashes across his face. “If you need me, Jayde, tell me that too.”
I nearly crumple from the understanding in his expression. He gets me. How the hell does he understand that I’m panicking? That I’m spiraling?
“I’m a runner,” I tell him.
“A nature enthusiast now?” he teases.
I snort. “Not in the exercise sense. I’m a runner. When things are too much, too hard, I run.”
“No, you don’t.” He shakes his head, his voice so sure, I pull back in surprise. “You don’t run when things are hard, Jayde. I’ve only ever seen you step up to challenges and face them head-on.”
“At work, yes,” I agree. “But not in my personal life. I don’t know how to do this.Relationships,” I hiss, gesturing between us.
“Communicating is a big part of one. And you’re doing great. I scared you off, didn’t I?”
I frown, rolling my lips together. “Golden boys don’t fall for girls like me.”
“I can’t think of a better woman for me than you,” he counters. “Jayde, my parents are complete opposites. My dad is type-A, organized, efficient. He color-codes his closet and has a Cricut to make labels.”
I snort out a laugh.
“My mom would lose her head if it wasn’t attached to her body. She’s always rushing, forgets where she left her keys. One time, we found her passport in the freezer.”
I shake my head.
“And I don’t know two people more in love. I’ve never heard two people laugh harder or have more interesting debates. They watch movies on Sunday nights, even though they never agree on which one to watch. Mom tries to be vegan and Dad smokes meat on Fridays. They have almost nothing in common but everything that matters. And I think we could have that, Jayde. I love that you change your hair color and hate hugs. I love that you rock combat boots when sneakers would be more comfortable. I know you weren’t sure about your dress because it’s lavender?—”
“You’re the only guy I know who would say lavender instead of purple.”
He grins. “You skip breakfast in favor of coffee unless it’s a cinnamon doughnut or cupcake from Primrose Sweets.”
I crack a smile.
“Jayde DuPree, I know myself to know that you’re it for me. It wasn’t a line or a moment, it was the truth.”
“You really believe that? You really think we have a chance?” I whisper. “Because if you let me fall for you and then leave?—”
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. I know if we both work hard at it, communicate and share and are honest, we’ve got more than a shot, Jayde. We can have everything.”
