His hand comes up to cup my cheek, directing my eyes to his. “You are beautiful, Jade. And you are a good person. I know you didn’t mean for this to happen this way. I just hope that you find everything you’re looking for, that he treats you the way you deserve to be treated.”
I nod. “He will. I know there is a lot of mistakes between us, but he loves me. I can see it when he looks at me. I can feel it when we touch. I just wish I hadn’t gotten you caught up in the middle of it. It really wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry for making you come all this way.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for. Hey, at least I got to meet you.”
He reaches out and places a hand against my cheek.
I smile and take his hand on my cheek into mine. “You’re more than welcome to take a shower or eat anything in the kitchen. I’ll bring you out some clean sheets and blankets, and you can stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, we’ll look into flights to get you home.”
He nods. “Okay, Jade.”
I stand up and go to the hallway closet, where I bring down a sheet and a blanket and take them back out to him. I lock the front door and head toward my room. Before I step through the doorway, I turn to face him. “And Paul?”
“Hmm?” he asks, looking up from the sheet he’s unfolding.
“We can be friends. We don’t have to stop talking.”
“Really? He won’t be jealous?”
I shrug. “It’ll be our little secret.”
He smiles wide and nods once. “Good night, Jade.”
“Good night, Paul,” I reply, stepping into my room and closing the door between us.
I change into my pajamas and settle into bed with Noodle already asleep at the foot of the bed. I check my phone, and to my surprise, Memphis hasn’t called or texted me once. I wonder if he’s mad that Paul is here. Either way, it couldn’t have been stopped. I had no idea. It’s not like I invited him here. He was as much of a surprise to me as he was him. I’m sure he’s driving himself crazy with worry though.
I’m not completely sure he trusts me to be alone with him all night. Or maybe he doesn’t trust Paul to be alone with me. I’m sure he’s afraid that we’re getting carried away, but Paul is a good guy. Even though I just met him in person, we’ve been talking online for months. He’s told me his innermost thoughts, dreams, and wishes. He has a good soul, and if Memphis wasn’t in the picture, I’d be more than happy with his surprise arrival. I know deep down that I’ll be kicking myself for breaking things off with him if Memphis decides to take off again.
I’m not entirely sure that I can trust Memphis to stick around again, but I know it’s worth a shot. If he leaves, I won’t exactly lose anything, but if he stays, I’ll have everything to gain. I’ll have him, his love, his time, and we’ll start a family of our own and grow old together. What more could I ask for?
It doesn’t take long before sleep is taking me, and I sleep soundly the rest of the night. When I wake, it’s going on seven, and I climb from bed. Noodle jumps awake when I get up, and he follows me into the living room. I expect to find Paul on the couch, but all I find is the blanket and the sheet he used neatly folded on the cushion. There’s a note on my laptop that’s been left open.
Jade,
Thank you for your hospitality even though I arrived unexpectedly. I’m sorry that we don’t get our shot, but I am happy to have finally met the gorgeous woman behind all those beautiful words. I hope he gives you everything you could ever dream of, but if he doesn’t, you know where to find me.
Until we meet again, and hope it will be soon,
Paul
I smile to myself as I read his words, but I close the computer and head to the door since Noodle is dancing around, ready to go outside. I unlock the door and push it open, surprised to find Memphis asleep in his car, which is still parked out front.
Did he not leave last night?
While Noodle runs off to do his business, I lean against the driver’s side door. I reach through the open window and poke his bicep. He jumps awake and I laugh.
“Did you sleep here all night?”
He sits up and rubs his eyes. “Sleep? No. It’s only been the last couple hours I was able to sleep. I didn’t want to leave. I know you say you know this guy, but truth is, we don’t know him. He could’ve murdered you or something.”
I smile and shake my head. “Want to come in for breakfast?”
He scoffs. “And join the two of you? No thanks.”
“He’s gone, Memphis. He woke up early and left a note. I think we have some things to talk about. Come on.” I nod toward the house, and he finally moves to get out of the car.
He follows me into my apartment with Noodle barking the whole way. I lead them to the kitchen, where Memphis sits at the table while Noodle waits patiently for his food and water. I fill his dishes and start a pot of coffee. The whole time, Memphis just sits waiting, cracking his neck, which I’m sure is sore from sleeping in his car all night. When the coffee is done brewing, I pour us both a cup and sit down next to him.
I take a sip and watch as he does the same. “I know you’re probably going crazy not knowing what was happening in here last night,” I start.
He lets out a laugh. “That’s putting it lightly.”
I smile at his jealously. “Nothing happened, Memphis. Well, one thing happened. He kissed me.”
He scoffs and shakes his head.
“But that was it. I told him how much I loved you. I told him that no matter how badly you’d hurt me in the past, that I couldn’t not give this a try because I deserve it. Not you, but me. I was left with a broken heart, no goodbye. You were just gone, and I was left alone to put together the pieces. Now that you’re back, I don’t think you deserve the chance I’m giving you, but I do. I deserve to be happy.”
He takes a long breath and reaches for my hand. “You know how sorry I am, right?”
I nod.
“And you know that I’m never going to do that again, right?”
I smile and nod as he pulls me into his lap.
“I have everything I could ever need right here. I’m sorry that I couldn’t see that before.” His lips slowly move toward mine, finally pressing against them. Tingles form in my belly. They swirl together like a tornado, going faster and faster until they break apart and scatter throughout my whole body. This right here, this is how I know we’re meant to be together.
With one hand on my cheek, his other splays across my back, pulling me closer. I somehow end up turning to face him, my legs on either side of him as our kiss becomes more rushed. His hands move up and down my back softly, stopping on my ass as he picks me up against him and carries me to bed.
We fall onto the bed, and I let out a yelp as we fall, but the moment we hit the surface, his mouth is right back on mine. He kisses me soft and slow, full of blinding passion. I feel him harden against me, and I can’t help but wiggle against him, needing to feel him inside me. He tugs at my shorts and panties, yanking them down my legs as he gets to his knees. With his eyes on mine, he licks his lips as he takes me in before him. His hands work on freeing himself from his jeans as I sit up and remove my T-shirt. Now that I’m completely bare for him, he lets out a growl as he pulls my body back to his. With one roll of his hips, he’s sliding into me, filling me completely. We both let out a satisfied moan.