Page 3 of The Charmer
“You’re lucky Emily is marrying you,” I say.
He snorts, lowering the volume of the song. “Don’t I know it. Man, I can’t wait to marry her. And I want that for you, Reese.” When Mick uses my first name instead of Keller or Golden Boy, I know he’s serious. “For sure, bring Jayde to the wedding. I can’t wait to meet her.”
At the earnestness in his tone, I feel the emotional weight of what I’m about to do. It makes me nervous and excited and…hopeful. Will Jayde come with me to Mick’s wedding? Will she want to? Here I am, going out on a limb, baring secret soul shit to my buddy, just to show her that we have a shot. That we deserve to be together. That I want her now just as much as I did that night, in Taps, a year ago.
I clear my throat. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Yep. See you in Turks and Caicos, Golden. My wedding is gonna be the shit!”
“I’m counting on it, Mick.” After I hang up, I toss my phone in the cupholder and lean my head back, closing my eyes.
Holy shit. I’m doing this. I already confided in Mick which means, I’ve got about ten minutes before my phone starts blowing up with our college crew, inquiring when I finally took their advice, grew a set, and asked Jayde out.
I let out a long exhale.
Soul mate.I already know she’s mine. My parents are complete opposites and have the most loving, supportive relationship I’ve ever witnessed. Jayde and I couldn’t be more different. I’ve been intrigued by her from the first time I saw her, and my admiration has only increased as I’ve watched her let her guard slip.
She’s always one of the first people at The Meadows and last to leave. She has her hand in all team events and makes sure they go off seamlessly. She attends our games, knows the names of our family members, and is the point of contact for anyone who needs access to Scott.
She’s professional, organized, and alert. But I’ve also witnessed her get into it with a Miami fan who bad-mouthed one of the Hawks player’s girlfriends, starting an awful “slut” chant when she was shown on the big screen during a game. Somehow, Jayde shut that down, her eyes breathing fire at the fan. I’ve watched her color and read books with James Ryan’s twins, cuddle Noah Scotch’s baby, and shower the kids that come up through the Youth Outreach camps with attention and kindness.
She’s fierce, loyal, and badass. She’s also gorgeous, witty, and authentic.
Resolved, I turn off the ignition of my car and stride back to the office. I’m going to ask Jayde right now; time is of the essence. I’m going to convince her that this is a brilliant idea, that she should trust me, that I want to kiss her. I’m going to?—
“Jayde.” I pull up short as she walks out of The Meadows.
“Reese,” she says, startled. Her eyebrows bend. “You okay?”
I clear my throat. “Come to Turks and Caicos with me.”
“What?”
Internally, I wince. I should have worked up to my declaration but now that it’s out in the open, I blurt the rest. “I want you to be my date. I want you to meet my friends. I want to have a weekend with you, Jayde. And I want to prove that you should give me a real chance. Because I haven’t stopped thinking of you since that night in Taps?—”
She gasps.
“And I’m finally doing something about it. So, come away with me. Give me this weekend.”
Her eyes are blown, surprise mixed with anticipation, as her mouth drops open. She lifts a hand to her neck, her fingers toying with the chain of her necklace. She narrows her eyes, closes her mouth, and then shakes her head. “You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“You want to bring me to your friend’s wedding and…introduce me to your life.”
“Yes.”
“For...real?”
“For keeps,” I say, being completely transparent. Owning just how much I want this, with her.
She clears her throat. “Reese?—”
“One weekend, Jayde. If afterwards, you’re not feeling it, I won’t ever ask anything of you again. But please, give me this chance. Because I don’t want to live my life, to go to every wedding, wondering ‘what-if?’ And with you, I’ll always wonder if I don’t take my shot.”
“This is you taking your shot,” she murmurs, as if clarifying it for herself.
“Be my date, Jayde.”
