Jimmy’s out of the room before I have a chance to say anything. I try not to look at the clock, to memorize the time he left. I don’t want to set myself up for the heartbreak when his ‘be right back’ turns into hours and hours of being gone while I sit here in my dirty clothes.
I do as he suggests and take a shower. The water feels good. I don’t know how long I stand under the spray, but it’s long enough for my body to feel watered down. I pull on the cotton bathrobe and rub the collar on my cheek. It’s so soft and inviting. I run my fingers through my wet hair. I’ll need to pick up a brush while I’m here. I can go without make-up. Well, maybe I’ll get some mascara.
When I open the door, Jimmy is standing by the bed, staring out into the lagoon. My heart beats rapidly. I didn’t think he’d come back, yet here he is. He’s changed and is now wearing dark slacks. He turns and smiles. I have to stop in my tracks. His white button-down is open exposing the light smattering of dark hair on his torso. He has one tattoo, a Chinese symbol resting precariously near his hip bone. I want to touch him. I want to run my fingers along his abs, tracing each one until I know every curve by heart. His usual crazy hair is styled nicely, making me miss his Mohawk.
He has a date.
I try not to let the thought ruin my mood, but I can’t help it. I offer him a sad smile and sit on the edge of the bed.
“What’s wrong, Sweet Lips?” he says, kneeling in front of me.
“You’re dressed up.”
He looks at himself and nods. “So?”
“You have a date, Jimmy. You said no other women.” I know I’m complaining. It’s childish and stupid. I should just go to the lobby and buy a nice book to read while he’s out gallivanting with the female population.
“I do have a date, silly girl, with you.”
“What?”
Jimmy puts his hand on my knee, moving the bathrobe out of the way. “I want you to listen to me. Over these past few months I’ve grown to know you pretty well and if I’m being honest, you’re one of my best friends. I can be myself when I’m around you and not the performer or the guy those other groupies look for. You let me be an idiot and you still don’t look down at me. When I found out about your ex, I wanted to kill him and I haven’t had those kind of thoughts in years. I thought ‘how could a man hit someone as beautiful and sweet as you?’ When Liam told me about the baby, I realised that you don’t need to do this alone.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You said you’d listen.”
“No, I didn’t, you just started talking,” I say, smiling.
“See that’s what I’m talking about. You could be serious right now, but you’re joking around and I really like that about you. Can you at least please hear me out?”
I nod, earning a smile from him.
“Will you marry me?”
My mouth drops open when he pulls out a ring. I cover my mouth, shaking my head. Why is he doing this?
“Are you crazy?”
“Yes,” he says matter of fact.
“Jimmy, be serious here. We can’t get married.”
“Why not?” he looks hurt. I shake my head. I stand and walk toward the water. Jimmy follows, standing behind me. He places his hands on the back of my arms, rubbing up and down. It feels like I can reach out and touch the water. The view is indescribable. The water is blue now with the way the sun is shining, and moving so effortlessly, unencumbered, against the pillars.
“I’m being serious, Jenna.” He turns me into his arms. “I want to take care of you. I know we aren’t a couple, but we could be if we tried. We can learn to be a couple.”
I shake my head, fighting back tears. “You live a lifestyle that I could never agree to be a part of. I’d want my husband home with me at night and not in some other bed.”
“I’d be faithful.”
I throw my arms up and wipe my tears. “Oh, Jimmy, how can you say that?”
“Because it’s true.” He steps in front of me, pulling my hands into his. “I want this. I want to take care of you. I want to live with you. I even want to fight with you so that we can make-up with each other.”
“I’ve been married before and swore I’d never do it again. Why would I want to put myself through that again, especially knowing what I know about you?”
Jimmy looks down at the ring in his hand. He sighs before looking at me. “I understand what you’re saying, and if I were you, I’d feel the same way. I know I’m not the best man out there, but I look at you and you make me want to be better. I know what people think of me. I know you and everyone else thinks I’m a man-whore or I’m too young to be tied down. Maybe this will be temporary or maybe it will be for life, I don’t know, but it feels right. I don’t do commitments, but when I look at you, I see a future. I see my future.”