Page 59 of A Million Times, Yes

“Yeah.”

Gavin’s brows rose. “You did?”

“Yeah, asshole, I did.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I said a few other things that you’d be proud of too.”

“Like?”

“Telling her I liked her.”

“Damn.”

“And that I’d offered her more than I’d ever offered anyone else.”

He squeezed his tongue between his lips. “Aren’t you just so charming with words.”

I moved my arms out in front of me and held the end of the desk, looking him square in the eye. “I’ve never said that to a single soul besides her. That’s a big fucking deal, Gavin.”

“But it sounds like it wasn’t enough and that your chance with her may be gone. Because you didn’t tell her when I told you to, which made everything turn to hell.”

“Are you seriously going to sit on the other side of this desk and scold me?”

“What else would you like me to do? Tell you to go chase her when it sounds like she doesn’t want to be chased?”

“Gavin ...” I pulled out my phone and checked the screen, scrolling through the notifications to see if there were any from her. When I saw there weren’t, I barked, “Tell me what to do.”

“Nowyou want my advice?”

“Do you want me to grovel? Is that what you’re asking for?” I sighed so loud, my chest vibrated. “You were right. There. Happy? Now, tell me what the fuck to do!”

His hands left the back of his head, and he dropped his arms onto the desk. “You need to explain to her that you fucked up and you’ll do whatever it takes to make it right. She doesn’t want you to prove her wrong, Jordan. If she’s calling you a liar, don’t fight with her. Agreewith her. But explain yourself and why you were afraid to tell her who you are.”

“I told her Iwantedto tell her.”

He shook his head. “Do you think that makes the situation better?”

“And that I didn’t because of the comments she made about rich people.”

“Brother, that didn’t help your case at all.” He leaned forward. “But don’t you think your reasoning goes deeper than what you told her?”

“Yes.”

He stared without blinking. “How deep?”

“For the first time in my life, a woman was looking at me and seeing me for who I am, not what I’ve accomplished and how much money I have.”

“You enjoyed that.”

I huffed out a mouthful of air. “I couldn’t get enough of it.” I glanced down at my phone and saw that the screen showed new notifications. Not a single one was from her. “How far do I take this, Gavin? If she won’t respond to me ...”

“Do you want her?”

I nodded.

“Jordan, do you really want her?”

“Yes.”

He looked at his hands, his thumbs circling each other, and when he gazed up again, the seriousness in his expression had grown. “Tell me this goes beyond want. That you see yourself with her. That you see a real future with her.”