Because everywhere I look… he’s here. Not the version the world sees, but him, the man I met behind a screen.
A well-worn copy ofThe Song of Achillessits on the coffee table—the spine cracked, a dog-eared page marking a scene I once ranted about. Next to it, there’s a framed photo of Pea—my Pea—his one-eyed glare immortalized mid-hiss. I blink fast, my throat tightening.
There’s a gray hoodie draped over the back of the couch—his hoodie, the one he used to wear on our video calls. And beside it? A crumpled receipt from a bakery I told him I wanted to try.
I let out a shaky laugh. “You have a lot of my life here.”
Jake shrugs, suddenly sheepish. “I missed you. And, uh… maybe I overcompensated.”
I shake my head, feeling overwhelmed. “No… it’s perfect.”
My feet move on instinct, drawn toward the massive glass doors at the far end of the living room. They slide open silently under my fingertips, and I step outside, blinking against the sunlight.
The view steals my breath.
An infinity pool stretches out before me, the water so clear it looks like glass. Beyond it, a stretch of private beach gleams gold under the sun, the waves kissing the shore in lazy strokes. The horizon feels endless..
“I—” I exhale, words failing me.
I’m still staring when I hear the soft pad of bare feet behind me. Then… the familiar weight of warm, solid arms wrapping around my waist.
He buries his face against the crook of my neck, breathing me in like he still can’t quite believe I’m real. “I used to stand out here and imagine you next to me,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my skin.
I shudder, leaning back against him.
He presses a kiss to my shoulder before whispering, “Thanks for coming back to me.”
Something cracks open in my chest at those words. I cover his hands with mine, threading our fingers together. “I was always going to,” I whisper. “I just needed to be sure.”
His lips curve into the faintest smile against my skin. “And?” he asks, his voice low, as if he’s almost afraid to hear the answer.
I turn my head just enough to catch his gaze. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
Jake exhales hard like he’s been holding his breath for weeks. He pulls me tighter until there’s not a sliver of space left between us. “Yeah… you are.”
We stand there, tangled together, the sun warm on our skin, the ocean endless before us.
For the first time in forever… I breathe easier.
And somewhere deep down, I know… This is only the beginning.
Maybe love isn't about perfect beginnings. Maybe it’s about choosing each other, even when it’s terrifying.
CHAPTER 20
JAKE
I’m losing my fucking mind.
She’s here… just a few doors down. Sleeping while I lie here, staring at the ceiling and craving her like a goddamn addict.
We spent the whole day playing house, cooking, swimming… laughing. And fuck, it felt real. Not like some temporary dream, but like a glimpse of forever. Like this brilliant, stubborn woman could actually bemine.
I’ve never felt more alive than I did with her in myspace, moving through my home like she belonged… because shedoes.
But somewhere between the laughter and the sunset, those sweet, innocent thoughts turned dark, lust curling through me like smoke. All because I suggested a swim in the heated pool.
She hesitated. Chewed her lip, then nodded.
