Page 49 of Where Is the Love

“Jess, just please tell me that I still have a chance at your heart. Tell me that I didn’t fuck everything up.”

She stood and gulped the rest of her drink then went back to the kitchen, leaving me on ice. I was trembling and shit like a fucking fiend, waiting for her to come back. She took her fucking time too. After five minutes or longer, she sat back in the seat she once occupied. When she smiled slightly, I hopped up from my seat and pulled her from hers, wrapping my arms around her.

That small gesture let me know that she wasn’t giving up on us. She slid her arms around me and said, “I missed you, Brix.”

“Damn, baby. I’m so sorry for how I spoke to you. I can imagine that it took you to painful times in your life.”

“It did. That’s why I had to block out the world. I’ve been taking care of me. While I know how to handle it and work through it, I don’t want to keep being triggered. I want to have so much peace until it’s impossible for me to be triggered. I went to see a psychiatrist, and she helped me with some techniques I can use to come out of that mindset. It won’t happen overnight, but if I make a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of my life, it will become habit.”

“Damn. What made you forgive me, Jess? I was fully prepared to chase your ass like Decklan was doing. I had my stalker paperwork submitted and everything.”

“I forgave you a while ago,” she said, totally ignoring my weak ass joke.

“Well, what made you still want to be with me?”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you. It didn’t help you were calling and texting every day. There were some other factors that convinced me that I would rather not talk about as well. What’s important is that I want to be with you, despite yo’ ignorant ass talking to me like a jackass.”

“You right. I’m sorry again, baby. I promise that shit will never happen again.”

“It better not. I don’t give second chances. That shit is unheard of. So if it happens again, I’m gon’ let Jasper use you for bait when he’s hunting for those wild hogs. They’ll eat your ass without leaving a trace. Won’t even be able to find any hair. Who broke code and gave you my address?”

“Kenny.”

“Wait until I tell Uncle Storm.”

“That nigga too busy trying to get his team together for when he takes office.”

She laughed, and I swore it was the sweetest sound I’d heard since she’d been gone. It was a sound I never thought I would hear again. I was definitely curious about what her other reasons were for giving me a second chance. For some reason, I felt that Nate had a lot to do with that. “I’d planned to make a trip to Nome this coming weekend to see my family, and I was going to talk to you as well.”

“Really? Why?”

“I was going to let you know that I forgave you. If you didn’t bite, I wasn’t going to make the first move. I would have gone on through life without you. However, because of all your text messages and calls, I was pretty certain that you would do just what you did today.”

I lowered my head. “And what is it that I’m doing today?”

“Begging. Some Keith Sweat ‘Make It Last Forever’ kind of begging.”

I chuckled. “You’re worth every note his begging ass sang.”

She giggled. I brought my hand to her face and gently stroked her cheek then leaned in, waiting for her to tell me to move or stop. When she didn’t, I was happy as shit. I laid my lips on hers and relished the feeling of her soft lips being on mine. Jessica was the woman I loved, and I refused to give up on her. This moment made me grateful that I didn’t. When I tried to pull away, she held my face to hers as she slowly kissed me.

After pulling away from me, she asked, “Are you staying the night?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Well, yeah. You have plenty of making up to do, so I figured you would want to get a head start. But if not, I mean, I totally understand.”

“Hell yeah, I want to spend the night. I was hoping you would ask.”

“Good. Well, the shower is obviously available. I’m gonna go pull my hair up.”

She walked away as I watched her make her way down the hallway. That woman was going to be the death of me. God definitely had a sense of humor. I thought I was coming here to get on my knees and beg her to be mine, only for her to make this debacle as painless as possible. Once she disappeared, I took the moment to thank God for favor, His grace and mercy. He’d softened her heart just for me.

I pulled out my phone then stood to go to the shower. I messaged Kenny.Everything went great. Thanks, man.

I knew it would. See you when you get back.

I smiled as I made my way down the hallway. When I saw the bathroom door open with the light on, I went inside so I could start the shower then go outside to get my bag. Jess was in the mirror pulling her hair into a ponytail. She smiled at me. “So what did you decide to do about your business?”