“We already got right to it. I need to talk to you, and I want to see your face while we do it.”
“I think this could be arranged.”
“What’s your address, beautiful?”
“535 Livingston Avenue.”
“Fancy,” I said, as I jotted down her address. Jade was a bigger hot-shot lawyer than I’d originally thought. Livingston was one of the most expensive streets in our town. The people that lived there were all very well off. She lived in a gated community. “I guess you’re a bigger hot shot than I thought.”
“It belongs to the firm. It was one of the perks for signing with them over their competition. Trust me, I could never afford this place on my own.” A sweet, nervous sounding laugh followed.
“I can’t wait to hear that laugh in person again,” I said. “Be ready for me.”
“Where are we going?” Jade asked, as soon as I got to her door. No hello, no how are you, straight to the heart of the matter. I barked out a laugh, thinking how refreshing it was. It was one of the things I admired the most about her.
“You get right to the point, don’t you?”
“Time is money,” she said with a small shrug. She never really hid what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask anything. “It’s how I do so well at my job. I don’t waste anyone’s time. Especially my own.” She looked at me sweetly and winked.
“I always loved that about you.”
“Loved?” She asked, her fingers nervously playing with the ends of her hair.
“Loved.” I repeated, making sure that she understood I didn’t use the word incorrectly. “I’ve always loved you, Jade.” I said.
Silence filled the cab and I hoped I wasn’t pushing my luck with the big L word so soon.
“Are we going to Greg’s Diner?” She finally asked as we made a turn. I smiled at her question. Greg’s was where all the kids used to go. It was the hangout. Over burgers, fries and homemade malts, I finally talked to her.
“Sure are,” I said, as I pulled up into a parking spot and turned off the car. I hopped out, ran to her side and opened her car door.
“Still a gentleman, I see,” she said, grabbing my hand before getting out of the car. I glanced down, loving the feeling of our fingers tangled up together. I don’t know why, but that small act made me feel ten feet tall.
We walked into the diner, Jade trying to lead me to a table by the window. But I pulled her away, walking us to a booth in the back.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to sit here.”
“Is this?” She said, pointing to the booth. “Is this the one where we had that long talk?”
“It sure is. The day I knew I was hopelessly in love with you.”
“You’re so full of it.” She laughed, whacking me in the chest.
“See, you feel the same, that is a tell-tale sign that a girl adores you. She punches you. That’s what my brother used to tell me anyway.” I winked at her and she giggled. I loved that sing-song sound.
“You did not fall in love with me because we shared a milkshake.”
“I sure did. Look under the table,” I said, pointing to the left side of the booth. Jade bent down and read what was carved on the side. In jagged letters, it said, Jade Fletcher is the real deal and I’m going to marry her.
“I knew at eighteen. I knew from the moment we sat at this diner and talked, that one day I was going to be with you. Forever.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” She asked, fighting back the tears that were now pooling in her eyes. “I always thought you saw me as some sort of airhead and were just being nice, because you were nice.”
“Oh baby, no.” I said, guiding her into the booth and sitting beside her. “I always thought I wasn’t ready to win you. I knew that if I worked hard, that I’d be worthy of you.”
“You were always worthy,” she said, her hand gently touching my face. “You’ve always been the best man I’ve ever known, even as a boy.” She brought her lips to mine and placed a kiss there.
“Jade Fletcher. The most perfect girl I’ve ever met. The woman of my dreams.” I cupped her cheeks. “I’ve loved you since the day I met you.”
“Not just in the dark?” She cracked a joke.
“I’ve loved you in the dark and the light, baby, now I just need forever.”
Chapter 9
Jade – two months later
“I swear if I could get out of here at a normal hour just one night this week,” I grumbled under my breath as I stretched in my office chair, eyes on the clock as I thought of another night at the office when I’d rather be in Mav’s arms.