“Umm…yeah. Give me a few. I’m trying to get my thoughts in order.” I touch my temple.
Jacob smiles. “Take all the time you need.” He draws his knees to his chest, loops his arms around them, and stares at the ocean.
He’s amazing. He must be freaking out internally about what I’m going to say, but he’s not pressuring me to speak or say ‘I love you’ in return. Is the crazy beat of my heart telling me I do love him?
Why wouldn’t I? He makes me smile and laugh. I adore talking to him, holding him, and running my fingers through his crazy hair. I’ve lost count of the times he’s made me swoon during this holiday alone. He’s not perfect—who is?—but he’s perfect for me. And I’ve answered my own question.
I take his hand and brush my thumb back and forth over it. “I love you too.”
He breathes out hard. He can’t have been holding his breath this whole time. Can he?
I put a steadying hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?”
He frowns. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting here thinking, but if you’ve been holding your breath that long, you must be about to pass out.”
He laughs, cups my cheek, and kisses me softly. “I haven’t been holding my breath all that time. Maybe for about half of it.”
I run my fingertips along his jaw and cheekbone. “Not feeling dizzy?”
“Yes, but not because I was holding my breath.”
“Oh?”
“Because a beautiful guy just told me he loves me.” He grasps my hand and kisses the back.
“I meant it.”
“I meant it too.”
“So, what now?”
If we were at my flat, we’d probably end up making love, but that’s not possible here. Aside from the fact Jacob is a keep-it-in-the-bedroom guy, the threat of getting arrested for indecent exposure in a foreign country isn’t sexy at all. Nor is the thought of all the places sand could get if we got hot and heavy. Sand in my butt crack? No thanks.
“We tell people we’re a couple,” Jacob says.
“Seriously?”
His cheek muscles flex, and his mouth wobbles. “Yes.”
“You sound certain, but you don’t look it.”
“I’m scared,” he whispers.
“I know.”
“But the only way we can have a future together is if we’re open and honest. With everyone. So yes, I’m scared about how people will react. But fear didn’t stop me from jumping out of a plane?—”
“For charity.”
He chuckles. “Love is as powerful a reason as charity, don’t you think?”
“Maybe more powerful.”
He kisses me. “Exactly. Which is why I can’t let fear stop me from telling the world I love you.”
I raise my eyebrows. “The world?”
