Page 26 of Tryst
“Of course not. What would it look like engaging in a fist fight with my girlfriend's dad?”
I shake my head believing I've heard wrong. “Girlfriend?”
“Yes.”
“If I were your girlfriend, you wouldn't have stomped on my heart and broken it after I told you I loved you.” I step closer to him jabbing my finger at him. “If I were your girlfriend, you wouldn't kiss Callie.”
“Shit.” He wipes his hand over his face.
“Yeah, shit.”
“The squeak of the door, that was you?”
I nod trying to keep the rest of my emotions in check. I'll save my breakdown for after he leaves because seeing him, standing so close to me, is breaking my composure. “I saw the way she touched you. You didn't stop it. You were a willing participant.” My voice breaks. I turn away so he can't see how much he's hurting me.
“Jade.” He touches my shoulder, and I can't bear it. I move away, but he's hot on my heels. He puts his hands around me, and it's too much. My hands cover my face, as his arms hold me to him. His lips skim my ears, and I'm forced to listen when I don't want to.
“Listen—you are what I want.”
“You're lying.” I shake my head in my hands.
“No. What you saw were two people saying goodbye for the last time. Callie and I don't belong together, but you and I do.”
“How can you say that? You were sure we didn't. What's changed?” I say in disbelief.
“I was scared.” He presses his lips against my ear.
I turn in his arms looking into his eyes. “Scared of what? This summer has been the best time of my life with you. I know you felt it too. So what the hell could you have possibly been scared of… Being happy?”
“You leaving me. Waking up one day realizing I'm not what you wanted. It's one thing when you’re here with me, but when you’re thousands of miles away with people your age, you'll realize you have more in common with them than you do with someone my age.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I know what I want. It's you. This is not a, ‘one crazy summer thing!’ I love you. That’s not changing.”
His forehead creases and there's that unsure look again. That drives me crazy as hell with him.
“Don't look at me like that,” I snap. “I know people fall in and out of love every day. But you have to be willing to take a chance to know if it will work. I'm willing to take that chance with you, with all the good, and all the bad.”
There is a glint of sadness in his eyes. He puts his hand against my cheek. This is more than our age difference. More than his business and personal relationship with my father. “Where is this coming from, Ian?”
“When I proposed to Callie, and she turned me down, she said, ‘Before I marry you, I need you to know I cheated.’ She said she couldn't accept withthatlie still between us.”
Oh my god. She cheated on him. Dammit, Aunt Callie. “She—” I start, but he stops my wide-eyed angry reaction.
“She was young and unsure if she was ready. We were too serious for her at the time. She was older than you are now. Sometimes I see the similarities in you two. If she didn't know, how could you?”
“I'm not some flighty young girl who doesn't know what she wants.” I push my fist against his chest. “I know.” I hold his hand against my cheek, unclench my fist, and cup his cheek. I say it again, so he knows I mean it. “I know.”
We pull each other together and kiss. A slow and tender kiss where he wraps his arms around me. Holding his face I revel in the moment with his head pressed against mine, and our lips still touching. He says, “I love you.“ Those words bring tears to my eyes and an overwhelming feeling of joy and content.
“I'm glad you finally realized it.” I smile.
“I'm sorry I've been such an idiot. Ignoring and fighting it. Assuming I knew what was best for you without asking you.”
“Don't be sorry. Do better, Uncle Ian.”
His head pulls back, and I see him cringe. “Don't ruin the moment.”
I laugh kissing his chin.
