Page 191 of Up the Ladder

It takes several seconds for me to register what he’s saying, and when I do, I’m still not as confident as he is. “There were a hundred people there, Jake. You probably wouldn’t have given me a second look.”

He shifts until we’re facing each other, lying on our sides. It’s insane that we’re buck naked on a random beach in Australia, but it figures. This man really can make me do anything.

With a tender hand, he rearranges a few strands of hair on the side of my face. “I would have noticed you because you’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen. I would have come to you to flirt in the way that gets your cheeks and the tips of your ears all rosy. You would have pretended to hate it because you’re a proper lady, and you would have rejected me, probably bruising my ego. But that, the very moment where you became unattainable, would have sealed the deal for me, red. I love a challenge, and I would have dedicated the rest of my evening to winning you over.”

I adore that he thought about this. Maybe our fortunate encounter wasn’t as random as I thought. Perhaps we were always meant to meet and become exactly who we are now. Together.

“Do you think I would have managed?” he asks, swallowing back a smirk because he already knows the answer.

“It probably would have taken you longer than it actually did, but yes. And even if I refused to give you my number, you would have asked Constance for it, right?”

“You know me too well, red.”

Our shared laugh comes to an end when we move in unison to kiss.

Of course, this was meant to be. This moment, on this very beach, about to make love with all the adoration and tenderness we hold, was bound to happen. Deep down, I believe him. We were always going to end up together because this is the life I’m meant to have. Without him, there would be no point in all this.

This man opened the world to me, all thanks to a surprising feature.

My favorite ladder ever.

The End