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“That’s right.” I nodded. “I asked her what she wanted, and she told me she wanted a South End condo and a Range Rover. So I said done and done.”
“What if that’s not all she wants?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
“What if she wants you to be her boyfriend?”
“I frickin’ hope she wants me to be her boyfriend if I’m buying her a South End condo and a Range Rover.” I looked at him, still confused. “Is she upset or something? She wouldn’t even do that thing with my balls last night.”
“Cole, please?—”
“No, but she always does it. And I didn’t know what was wrong. She wouldn’t tell me. And she’s not usually like that. She’s always open with me. And I meanreallyopen?—”
“Stop,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Please,pleasespare me the details. All I know is that she told Audrey what you offered her and that she wants more.”
“More than a condo and a car?”
“Yes, Cole.”
“Like what?” I asked, thoroughly perplexed.
“Likeyou. In the condo and in the car.”
“I was planning on being in the condo and in the car,” I said. “That’s sort of the point.”
“You should tell her,” he said. “Just be really clear. Sometimes they need to hear it with an exclamation point.”
“Sounds like you, bro.” I smiled at James.
Historically, James was even more emotionally unintelligent than me. But he seemed to be making a pretty decent point. Even though he was a prick, he was my best friend for a reason.
And that’s because he was, indeed, the best.
We snorkeled all morning,which was fun. Jenny went wild over all the colorful fish—she was the first one in the water and the last one out. Then, our party headed back to the beach for a break.
Jenny and I took the opportunity to go for a romantic walk. I’d learned she enjoyed walking the beach, picking up shells, and splashing in the water as we roamed. I could walk a thousand miles with her. She smiled at the water, the sun, and anyone we passed. She seemed happy and content—but after what James had told me, I wondered if that had to do more with our surroundings than with me.
I laced my fingers through hers and didn’t say anything for a few minutes. I’d had enough time for James’s words to sink in.I’d also had time to process that my father was on the warpath and that I’dhaveto deal with him when I got home. I didn’t want Jenny to be collateral damage in his game. I had to protect her. When we returned to Boston, I would have to face my father and have it out with him once and for all.
But that was then. This was now.
“Coley,” she said, “I feel like I need to talk to you about something.”
I nodded. “Me too.”
“Yeah? Okay…” She glanced at me. “Can you go first?”
I chuckled. “I guess so.”
I’d been a coward yesterday. Today, it was time to be a man.
The man she deserved.
“I agree—we should talk.” I stopped walking, but I didn’t stop holding her hand. “I need to tell you something.”
She perched her sunglasses on top of her head. The easy, sunny smile was gone, replaced by a worried expression. She straightened her shoulders and looked me in the eye. She took a deep breath, seeming to gather her courage. “S’okay, Cole. Go ahead. Just say it.”
“I love you.”