Taking him by surprise, I pull on his shoulder to make him lower and then claim his lips for a poignant kiss—right in front of everyone. They can think whatever they want. I don’t care anymore.
When I pull away, he looks down at me with something that resembles gratitude. This was me accepting him, embracing him no matter what, and we’re both aware of it.
“I love you, wombat,” I whisper, still not over the fact that this is really out.
“And I love you, Miss Kensington.”
While I didn’t expect to take this step so soon, I’m glad it’s done. Now, whatever happens, happens, but at least I was true to myself.
The next big step, and the most arduous of all, will be my parents. I can—worst case scenario—find a new job, but I can’t get myself a new family, can I?
We’ll get one shot at this, and I hope to God things will be fine. I can’t lose this man. Not ever.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jake
“What an honor to be gracedby your presence on a Saturday,” Kill sarcastically muses.
“Did Gen finally come to her senses and decide she’s had enough of you?” Eli adds.
We’re in the back room of The Devil’s Court, eating greasy burritos I got from the Mexican place at the end of the street. A mediocre bribe, but I hope they help earn my best mates’ forgiveness. I’ve been remarkably single-minded lately, still trying to balance my obsession with Gen with my work and social life. Eli and Kill have been the ones I’ve neglected because they’ll still be there by the time I figure it out.
“Sorry, mates. It’s been a little chaotic lately.”
“Oh, I know,” Eli starts. “I live right below you, and those floors arenotthick. I can hear just how chaotic your life has been.”
The glare I send him doesn’t stop him from smirking, proud of his joke. I don’t like the fact that he can hear Gen in my bed, but it’s not like we have a choice. “Care to move out?”
“Nah, I like the free rent.”
“Dickhead.”
Since he just took a mouthful of burrito, he can’t insult me back but raises a finger for me to wait instead, signaling it’s coming as soon as he’s done chewing.
“Are things getting serious between you two?” Killian wonders.
I hide my wince by biting the fattest chunk off my lunch. It’s been three weeks since we decided this was more than a sex thing. And one of those weeks was spent all the way in LA, working my arse off to spread my brand and network for The Parlour. And since I’ve not seen the guys as much as I used to, I haven’t told them about the new developments.
Just to delay the inevitable, I take my time chewing and swallowing. Then, I straighten up slightly and meet their inquisitive eyes. “Gen and I are dating, and the first one who makes a joke about it will eat my fist.”
Despite the threat, I fully expect one of them to say something. Instead, Eli gives me a shit-eating grin, clearly not surprised, and Kill lets out a discontented groan. Then, the former extends a hand over to Kill, who begrudgingly puts down his burrito to get his wallet from his back pocket. He produces a twenty-dollar bill and smacks it into Eli’s awaiting hand.
“You fuckers bet on this?”
“And I won,” Eli confirms, smirking like a twat. Maybe I should evict him. That’d feel good for a couple of days. But he’s a great dog sitter, and I’d miss the idiot.
“Well, you were right. We’ve stopped pretending this was just a sex thing about three weeks ago.”
“Three weeks?!” Eli echoes with shock. “Why the fuck did you not share this fact sooner?”
I raise a brow at him. “You two bellends bet on the success or failure of this relationship, and you wonder why I didn’t tell you?”
“Yeah, that’s fair.”
There’s nothing but the sounds of our chewing for a moment. The bar opens at eleven, but there’s barely anyone until the middle of the afternoon. It still turns a profit though, especially since Kill is usually the one handling it—unlike today, with Wendy behind the counter.
“I still can’t believe it,” I spontaneously let out. “She’s the finest woman I’ve ever fucking met, you know? And she wantsme.”
