I frown.
“I think you’ve more than demonstrated your commitment to this company, your loyalty. How much you do indeedcare.And I do think you would be a good fit. I always did, but… I needed to know that youwanted morethan just the company.” He nods. “I just needed to know where your priorities really were. I needed to see it.”
I blink, trying to process the words. It’s what I wanted but…
“And hiring a professional date proves my loyalty? Proves I want this?”
“Hiring Jacob proved you were resourceful, but seeing you light up when he walked into the room…” He sighs. “You can’t fake love likethat..”
Silence falls between as I let those words settle. “You think Jacob loves… me?”
My father purses his lips. “I do. I think that boy loves you very much, and you’re a goddamn idiot, but what do I know?”
I don’t miss the smirk on his face, and his words, albeit pissy, carry an edge of humor to them.
“Can… can I think about it?” I ask, meeting his gaze. “The job, I mean, it’s… it’s a big decision, you know.”
He sips his coffee. “Of course.”
“Thanks,” I say, unsure if I’m talking about the job or breakfast of…
He heads for the door to the deck.
“Flowers,” he says, stopping with one hand on the door handle.
I stand up straighter.
“Huh?”
“You should never show up to apologize without flowers.” He smirks at me, and I can’t help but feel a smile of my own form.
“I hear men like flowers, too, you know.”
I nod. “Noted.”
I grab my checkbook, my keys, and make my way to the car, turning on the radio, my heart in my throat and punch in the location for a florist closest to Jacob’s apartment. I pick out a large bouquet of stunning roses and stop by Paradise to grab a caramel macchiato.
When I make it to Jacob’s apartment, I feel like I’m going to explode from nerves alone.
I knock, and it seems like forever until the door opens. And the moment I see him, dressed in grey sweatpants, shirtless, wearing a thick cardigan that hangs off his shoulders, his messy blonde hair falling in his bright blue eyes, those eyebrows furrowed and that perfect mouth parted in surprise…
I know this is it.
This is the shot I want to take.
Here goes nothing.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jacob
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Noah asks as I pad around my kitchen with an oversized cup of coffee.
I slept like shit. All night, all I could think about was what happened. Garrett threatening me, spilling the fucking beans. Aaron’s look of utter heartbreak when I betrayed him and told the truth. How my perfect week of fantasy turned into a nightmare in the blink of an eye.
“I’m fine, really.” I tell him as I head for my couch. Noah sighs in defeat.
“All I’ve got on my schedule today is—” I look around at the utter disarray my apartment’s been left in. The couch is a mess with blankets and pillows everywhere, books and games spread out all over the coffee table, and there’s groceries all over the counter that I am not entirely sure haven’t been opened or not.
