“It was an easy choice,” I admit, causing him to sigh into my hold.
“Fuck, I wish I didn’t have two meetings today.” He brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I’ll see you on the plane?”
“Yes,” I answer. He pulls away, and as he heads toward the door, I call out, “Hey, JP?”
“Yeah?” He looks over his shoulder.
“I’m really glad you came to San Francisco. I know you really didn’t want to.”
“Only because I was fucking infatuated with you.” He winks. “See you at the airport.”
When he leaves, I practically melt on the countertop as everything he’s ever said to me comes to the forefront of my mind. The glances, the light touches, the teasing, the sweet gestures—it was all there. It always has been, from when I first met him, and I was so disappointed because Lottie had ruined our pitch to Cane Enterprises, to the way he showed me around the office when we were finally hired, offering me help when I needed it. The night of the gala, when he saw how upset I was, and instead of taking off, tried to make my night better. The dinners we’ve shared and the time we’ve spent together in San Francisco. His genuine care has been there, I’ve just been too worried to actually see it.
Worried because of his reputation.
Worried to fall for someone like him.
Worried to open my eyes and seeeveryfacet of JP.
But I see him now.
I hop off the counter and retrieve my phone from the dining room table. I pull up my text thread with Lottie and shoot her a text.
Kelsey:Boy, do I need to talk to you.
I walk back to my room and start packing again, and I’m almost done when Lottie texts me back.
Lottie:That text seems juicy. Tell me everything.
Kelsey:I was supposed to go out with Derek last night.
Lottie:Did he not show up?
Kelsey:No, he did. JP just intervened, told me he has been pining for me forever, wants to be with me and... well, I said a quick goodbye to Derek and wound up having sex with JP... six times.
Lottie:OH. MY. GOD! Only took you long enough! Also, six times... welcome to sex with a Cane brother. How do you feel?
Kelsey:Excited. Giddy. Slightly nervous. But mostly... I just can’t wait to see him again. Is this crazy? I mean, just a few days ago, we were at each other’s throats. And now he’s, well, he’s kind of everything I’d want in a man. And this is JP! I never thought I’d say that.
Lottie:I saw it all along. I was just waiting for it to happen. It’s not crazy. I think the great thing about you two is that you’re such opposites. That’s why Huxley and I work so well together. We challenge each other, but we also soothe the parts of each other that need extra care. I can see the same for you and JP.
Kelsey:Yeah, I think that’s pretty accurate. I don’t know. I like him, I really do. I’ve realized that more and more over the last few days. I’m just nervous.
Lottie:About what?
Kelsey:That I won’t be enough. That he’ll get tired of me. That he thinks he’s ready for a relationship, but he’s really not, and I’ll end up getting hurt.
Lottie:All valid concerns, but you won’t know the answers unless you try, unless you let him try.
Kelsey:And if he hurts me?
Lottie:Then he’ll not only have to answer to Huxley, but he’ll have to face me, as well, and as you know, I don’t let anyone hurt my sister.
Kelsey:Edwin hurt me.
Lottie:And guess who got a glitter bomb delivered to his house with a note that said to open it in front of his computer? He’s probably still plucking glitter from his keyboard.
Kelsey:You didn’t...
