Oh, Jake. This man understands me deeply in a way no one ever has before. The realization hits hard and makes it even more clear how ridiculously stupid it was to push him away. Not only that, he's shouldering the blame when he’s not the one at fault. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said any of the things I did. You’re right, I was overwhelmed, but that doesn’t excuse my behavior.”
Jake gives me a wry smile. “Didn’t you say I was first?”
My lips quirk upwards, an automatic reflex when I’m around this man. “Fair.”
“I was thinking about our conversation about Sam. When I was explaining why she and I weren't a good fit, did you think I was talking about you too?”
My heart clenches. He's right, he's always right. He sees me to my very core, even the places I'm scared to show. “I was worried I was just like Sam,” I admit. “Because we both put our parents ahead of everyone else. Whereas you decided on your own path, and you followed it, even though your dad disapproved. That’s amazing. As for me? I was just trying to maintain the status quo, playing it safe instead of going after what I wanted.”
Jake shakes his head. “I just want to make something crystal clear. While I’m glad you’re learning to stand up for yourself, it’s because it’s good foryou. The way I feel about you doesn’t hinge on how you deal with your parents. You just get me, Lucy. When I told you about my dad for the first time, you just…understood. But Sam never did—she just kept pushing me to reconcile. In her own way, I think she was trying to help, but it only drove us farther apart. And that’s okay, because frankly, we were a terrible fit.”
I huff. “That’s what pisses me off so much about the people in your life. Your dad, Sterling, Sam–they don’t understand how wonderful you are. They keep trying to change you! Don’t they understand that you don’t need to change? You’re perfect the way you are.”
“Then it’s a good thing your opinion matters more than theirs.” Jake’s eyes are soft, and all I want to do is close the distance between us. “I feel so lucky to know you, Lucy. No matter what happens, my life is better with you in it.”
We both stop on the sidewalk, staring at each other. I’m tracing his features with my eyes and wish more than anything that I was in his arms.
In my head, I whisper:I choose you.
Just as I decide to reach for him, I hear a harsh, unwelcome voice.
“I thought you’d figure out by now that Lucy is way too good for you.”
Chapter forty-one
Jake
It’s Weston.
He must have been following Lucy again. There’s no reason he’d be here otherwise. That asshole is like an indestructible weed that pops up through the cracks no matter how much you spray it. Maybe it’s time that I became a fighter over a lover and shoved my fist through those shiny white teeth of his.
“No,you’rethe one not good enough for me,” Lucy says in a clear, angry voice.
God, I’m so gone for this woman. Andfucking proud of her.
“What happened to you?” Weston snarls. “You used to be so sweet, and now you’ve morphed into this complete bitch!”
Lucy puts her hands on her hips. “You mean, I actually developed a backbone?”
Weston scoffs. “More like you’re the whore that’s willing to lift her skirts for any guy who is interested.”
Okay, I’ve had it. But before I have a chance to react, Lucy’s fist shoots out and slams into Weston’s nose.
“What the fuck?!” Weston roars as blood pours out of his nose. “Wait until my father hears about this!”
I can’t help it, I snort with laughter. Lucy glances at me, shaking her hand out, as she dissolves into peals of giggles.
“You do that,” Lucy gasps. “I’m sure your father would love to hear how you got your ass kicked by a girl.”
God, Lucy is a force to be reckoned with, and I am so lucky to know her.
As we leave Weston sputtering behind us, Lucy and I glance at each other and burst into laughter again at the same moment.
“Did you see his face?” Lucy wheezes, doubled over. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him make that expression before.”
I grin at her. “I’m sure no one’s ever stood up to him quite like that before either.”
“I can’t believe I did that,” Lucy says, shaking her head.
