Page 105 of Only You

“Tell me what?” Jack sat up straighter, bracing himself for more bad news.

“Josie is trying to get Kayla to go to the bar with us on Friday. She wants Kayla to get out and mingle.”

A chill ran up Jack’s spine. “Mingle, as in meet some other guy?”

“Maybe. Josie would be pissed that I told you.”

“Which bar?” Jack asked.

“We haven’t decided yet.”

Friday was two days away. “Will you let me know once you do?”

“That depends. What are you planning to do?”

“I don’t know yet. All I know is I don’t want Kayla meeting some other guy.”

Ryan chuckled. “You should have thought of that before you threw her out of the house.”

“I didn’t throw her out,” Jack argued.

“Whatever. Just listen to me. If you’re planning a grand gesture, you better do it right. Kayla might not give you another chance.”

Jack sighed. “Just call or text me the name of the bar. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Okay. But this better not backfire on me. I really like Josie, and I don’t want you to screw it up.”

“Understood,” Jack said.

After they hung up, Jack stood and started pacing. He’d been doing a lot of that lately, but this time, he had a sense of purpose, and something to focus on other than feeling miserable. There was no way in hell he was going to sit back and do nothing while Kayla was out mingling with other men. Jack couldn’t take the chance of her finding someone better than him—someone who wouldn’t shy away from a real relationship.

Ryan was right. Jack couldn’t afford to screw this up. He had to plan something big if he hoped to win her back. A grand gesture. Jack recalled some of the grand gestures in the romantic comedies he’d watched with Kayla. There’d been public apologies, love songs belted out at a karaoke bar, and extravagant wedding proposals. Knowing Kayla, she wouldn’t appreciate him airing their dirty laundry in public, so the apology idea was out. Jack was a horrible singer, so karaoke was out too, unless he wanted to embarrass Kayla and himself. That brought him to wedding proposals.

Jack stopped pacing for a moment. “Are you crazy?” Marriage was something he’d avoided for so long, it had become embedded in his psyche. He’d thoroughly convinced himself that it was not for him, thus, the elaborate ruse to convince his parents otherwise. He blanched at the reminder. Jack glanced around the living room. Even though Kayla was gone, she was still everywhere. In the couch cushions where she’d sat next to him watching TV, talking, and laughing. Her favorite blanket was tossed over the back of the couch like it was waiting to wrap itself around her. Jack didn’t have to go into the kitchen to see her favorite coffee mug with the saying “But first, coffee” on it. He envisioned them sitting down to breakfast together, eating French toast, and laughing about silly memes on their phones.

Without realizing it, Jack strode into their bedroom. Their bedroom. That was how he’d begun thinking of it. Inhaling deeply, he still detected her scent in the air, even though her myriad of perfumes was gone. He glanced at the side of the bed where she’d slept, and noticed her book was missing from the bedside table. Of course it was. She’d removed all of her belongings, but she couldn’t erase the memories. Jack slumped down on the edge of the bed. He picked up her pillow and brought it to his face, breathing her in. In the brief time she’d lived here, Kayla had woven herself into every aspect of his life, and he’d loved every minute of it. He knew her habits and fears, what made her laugh, and what made her cry. He also knew what brought her pleasure, and how she’d gazed at him with love in her eyes whenever they’d made love.

Love. That was the answer. Jack wasn’t just in love with Kayla. He loved her. All of her. He didn’t just want her temporarily. He wanted her forever, and there was nothing phony about it. Jack sprang off the bed. Suddenly, everything was clear, and he knew exactly what to do. Two days. He had two days to prepare for his grand gesture. If everything went as planned, Kayla would be back in his home and life. And this time, he’d never let her go.