“And you took advantage of that, you slime,” Casey hissed like an angry snake about to strike.
“Inadvertently I did, you’re right, and no amount of I’m sorry will fix it.”
“So why waste your time coming here?”Karla asked.June shifted in her seat, half cocking her head to hear them over the loud noises of the bar.
“Because I love her.I love her more than anything, and it was the biggest mistake of my life not contacting her; I wish I could take back hurting her.As long as I live, I’ll never forgive myself for hurting her.”
June could scarcely breathe.Rob had just said he loved her and in front of her friends, but could she believe him?Her head and heart were at war with each other.
She turned in her seat to look at him.Rob was looking intently at her as if waiting for her to turn and look at him.“I love you, June.”
The words held more impact coming directly at her instead of to her friends.
“I know, I messed up.I also know you said you can’t forgive me, but I hope you can because I don’t want a life where you’re not in it with one of your beautiful smiles.I want to wake up with you every morning and fall asleep with you every night.If you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me.I’ll call, text, and leave a note every time I have to leave.I’ll never leave you wondering again.I’ll even check in every day, so you know where I am if that’s what you want.”
“Oh please,” Casey sighed heavily, “As if she’s going to buy those lines.”
June was—hook, line, and sinker.She could see the sincerity in his eyes.Rob was remorseful about what happened.The question remained, could she forgive him?Could she let go of the hurt and move forward?
June slid out of her seat and walked toward him.Rob’s body was tense as if waiting for her to slap him or something.Her friends stood there watching Rob instead of her.She placed her hand on Casey and Karla’s shoulders.“Let him through.”
Casey’s head whipped around, her eyes wide with shock.“June, you can’t be serious.”
“I am,” she responded, her focus still on Rob.These next words were for him.“Because I love you too, and I don’t want to live without you.I’m most happy when I’m with you.”
Rob pushed through her friends and wrapped his arms around her waist before lowering his head and sealing his lips over hers.June didn’t resist.She wrapped her own arms around him and held on as he took control of the kiss, his tongue darting between her lips and stroking over hers.June mimicked his actions, their tongues dueling for supremacy.
It was only the raised shouts and claps that pulled them apart.They had drawn the notice of everyone in the bar who was hooting and hollering at them.A few catcalls from the back of the room could be heard over the din.
June looked around Rob to her friends.Sue was clapping, as was Karla.Casey looked like she had drunk sour beer.She was the most mistrusting of men, so it would take her some time to warm up to the idea of trusting Rob again.
“Thank you,” Rob whispered in her ear low enough for only her to hear.
“Don’t give me a reason to mistrust you again, Rob.I can’t go through with this again.”Her heart couldn’t take it.
“Never,” he vowed.
“Let’s get out of here.”She didn’t want an audience for their reunion.
“You took the words right out of my mouth.Your place or mine?”
“Mine.”It was their place of new beginnings, and it would be again.
“Lead the way.”
June grabbed her things.Rob wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her toward the door.June stopped when Casey stepped in front of them.They could have stepped around her, but June didn’t want there to be hard feelings between them.“I know you’re still angry at him.”
“As you should be.How could you forget how much he hurt you not long ago?He says he loves you, and you just forgive him like nothing happened?”
“That’s not what I’m doing at all.I love him, Cas.I know he hurt me, and it sucked, but I believe he’s sincere in his apology and won’t do it again.”
“He’s going to break your heart again,” Casey said as if it were a sure thing.June didn’t think so.
“I love him enough, I’m willing to take the risk.”
“I hope you’re right about him.”
“Me too.If not, I’ll let you TP his house and slash his tires.”It was what Karla had suggested a week ago.
