“And why are you scared?” His voice now held no anger.
I looked him right in the eyes and took a steadying breath. “Because I love her.”
A sympathetic smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I know.”
I shook my head, looking away. “For the record, I let you win.”
He let out a laugh. “I always win.”
I sank back down onto the couch. “Now what? I’ve never been in love with someone before.”
He sat down next to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Now you go get the girl.”
The thought of holding Isla in my arms and telling her I loved her was both terrifying and, oh, so tempting. I wanted nothing more than to hold her body against mine and kiss her until the only name she could remember was mine. Just thinking about being with her again had me moving to my feet.
“Then I’m going to go get the girl.”
Wilder smiled. “I would say good luck, but you don’t need it. She’s as gone for you as you are for her.”
“I get why you didn’t tell me sooner,” I said. “But, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
He chuckled. “Like you would have listened. I was trying to let things take their course, but it was time for me to step in and help you along.”
“Nothing like a verbal slap to get a guy moving. You’re a good friend,” I said, grateful to have Wilder in my life. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Don’t get all sappy on me now.” He stood up as well. “Just make sure you thank me at your wedding.”
My eyes bugged out at the word wedding, and he let out a loud laugh.
I rolled my eyes at him before heading toward the door and over to Isla’s place.
Although our doors were only a few feet apart, it felt like a long walk. I stood in front of her door, wondering if I could really do this. Could I really tell her I loved her and wanted to be with her? In a committed relationship? No more pretending?
Nervous energy flowed through my body, and I rolled my shoulders back, leaning my neck from one side to the other to release the tension. This was what I wanted.Shewas who I wanted. I was grateful to Wilder for helping me see that and for stepping in so I would stop sabotaging myself.
Lifting my hand, I knocked three times. I counted my breaths to keep myself calm while I waited. After counting ten breaths, I was worried she was either choosing not to answer or she wasn’t there.
What if she had already gone off to be with Josh? My stomach instantly clenched at the thought. Could I win her back if she had already told him she’d give him another chance? Worry joined the feelings of nervousness, and I felt desperate to see Isla.
I was about to turn away when the door finally opened, revealing a watery-eyed and defeated looking Isla on the other side. Just laying my eyes on her sent the feelings of nervousness and worry fleeing, replaced with heartache and a longing to rid her of any pain I had caused.
We stared at one another in silence. And I knew this was it.Shewas it.
I took a step and closed the distance between us, burying my hands into her hair and taking her lips with mine.
A groan escaped me at the ecstasy I felt as I finally kissed her again. Her body was flush with mine, and she kissed me back with just as much fervor.
I pulled back, still holding her face in my hands, my breath uneven. “I can’t let you go.”
Her beautiful blue eyes searched mine. Seconds passed, but it felt like a lifetime. Would she reject me? Had she already made up her mind? I already knew her body wanted me, but what about her heart? I wasn’t sure what I would do if she turned me away.
She must have found what she was looking for because she said in a soft voice, barely above a whisper, “Then don’t.”
Her words had me capturing her mouth again. This time she was the one to moan against my lips, her hands wrapping around my neck. I moved my lips along her jawline, and her head fell back, giving me access to her neck.
Kissing down her neck, I broke in between each one. “I can’t lose you.”Kiss. “I need you.”Kiss. “I want you.”Kiss. “You’re all I think about.” I placed a soft kiss on her collarbone and then looked down at her. “But I have to know. Is there a part of you that still wants to try things again with Josh?”
Her eyes widened as she shook her head vehemently. “No,” she blurted out loudly. “The only reason I was even entertaining the idea of trying again with Josh was because I was hoping it would help me get over you.” She looked down. “Maybe that’s awful of me to say, that I was willing to use him as a distraction.”
