Bonus Epilogue #2 - Jaeson
Jaeson knew it was his turn next. He had been nervous, watching Luka and Aubrey dance. He’d nearly forgotten to roll his sleeves down and put his coat on properly, managing to do it quickly in the last moments of their dance before he came out to take over.
“How about it, my special girl?” he asked, holding his hands out.
The music started again. There was a brief moment where he caught himself hoping that he was speaking low enough to keep things private between the two of them. The last thing he wanted to do was embarrass her during her special moment. He couldn’t do anything like that to her, not after she was gracious enough to accept his apology before.
As they danced, Jaeson searched for words. He knew business jargon well at this point, and often threw himself into an intentionally coarse way of speaking to counteract his upbringing.
But this, after everything that happened, Aubrey needed a more gentle touch, and he wasn’t sure he was capable of doing his feelings for her justice.
As he apologized and promised to do better, he knew in his heart he meant it every word of it. He knew, now, that he would do anything for her, at the drop of a hat. She deserved his best at every turn. He would not allow himself to love her halfway.
Love? Jaeson’s mind reeled for a moment. He hadn’t ever thought that word before, that specific word, when it came to her.
Jaeson kept himself silent, doing his best to roll with the dance while his feelings turned inside out within him. Did he love her? Did he know for sure? No one could ever really know, he supposed, but was he doing this just because he felt as though he were in her debt, or was he in love with her for who she was?
He didn’t have the answers. He didn’t know if he would ever have the answers clearly in his head. At least, not by thinking about them in a vacuum. Was it time? Would he allow himself to give that much to her?
He decided to let his mouth do the thinking and the words came to his lips effortlessly, surprising himself with how easy it was to say.
“I love you, Aubrey,” he said.
Aubrey’s smile grew bright. Jaeson felt a surge of relief and warmth in response. The music came to a close, and they slowed to a standstill, staring into each other’s eyes. She brought her hand to his face. Jaeson would have let the moment continue on forever if he could. The applause of the crowd broke him from his reverie.
Jaeson resolved to never let her feel bad in his presence. Not by his doing, anyway. He would only be there for her, making sure she had what she needed.
And here, now, under the lights and in front of all of the people, he decided she needed a little thrill to counteract how awful the last weeks had been for her. He leaned in and took her ear into his teeth for a quick moment, giving her a tiny nibble. Just enough to make it look like a friendly hug to the outside world, providing the two of them with a little secret just for each other.
Good girl,” he said.
