Page 182 of Girl Between

“Arewegoing?” she corrected. “It’s together or not at all,” she said reassuringly as she smoothed her thumb along his frown.

The storm brewing in Jake’s gorgeous blue eyes parted at her words. He pulled her into a fierce embrace, kissing her hard. When they came up for air, he looked satisfied. “I guess a free trip to Paris wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

Later,after they’d properly celebrated their Paris plans with an athletic romp in the sheets, which had temporarily sated their desires, Jake pulled Dana to him. Stroking a hand through her hair, he tugged her closer, tucking her against his side.

She loved the feeling of being so close to him. She’d never shared this much of herself with anyone before. Yet somehow, with Jake, it just felt right.

Jake’s fingertips brushed lightly across her arm, leaving a trail of tingling warmth. “You know, I never imagined we’d be planning a trip like this together,” he murmured against her temple.

Dana chuckled softly. “Life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn’t it?” She shifted to look at him, her expression turning serious.

“Speaking of surprises,” Jake said. “I don’t want to push my luck here, but what made you change your mind?”

“About what?”

“Me? Paris? Claire? All of it?”

Dana paused, her eyes searching Jake's for a moment before she spoke. "That’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”

Jake’s brow furrowed slightly. “What is it?”

She took a deep breath, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. “Remember when we were in New Orleans?”

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Hard to forget.”

Dana hesitated, gathering her thoughts. “I found the note you wrote me while you were there.”

Jake’s eyes widened in surprise. “How did you?—”

“When we were unpacking,” she explained. “It was tucked away in one of your jacket pockets, and I’ve been holding onto it ever since.”

Jake’s expression shifted to one of curiosity. “And?” he prompted gently.

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “Reading that letter made me realize how much we've been avoiding. We've been stuck in this limbo, holding onto pieces of our past, afraid to let go. But if we're ever going to move forward, we need to face it all. Together.”

Jake nodded, his expression softening. "I know," he said gently. "That’s why I’ve left the FBI behind. I want to build a life that belongs to us so we can finally find some peace."

Dana sat up and reached into her nightstand drawer to retrieve the note. She unfolded it carefully, her fingers trembling slightly. "This note, Jake. It reminded me of what really matters.”

She began to read his words aloud, her voice trembling slightly. "You are not alone. You are not someone I can let go or leave behind. You are beneath my skin, inside my heart, between my breath, entwined in my soul. When we’re apart, I can’t be whole. I don’t knowhow to say these words to you, but I know when I hold you, you feel it, too.”

Dana looked up at Jake, tears of joy flooding her eyes. “Your words … They sum up how I’ve felt every day of my life since I lost my family. Alone. Left behind. Until I met you …” Dana set the note down between them. “I never want to be the reason someone feels that way, especially someone I love. And that’s the one thing that’s abundantly clear to me now. I love you, Jake.”

His eyes closed and Dana wondered if she’d gone too far.

When he opened them, his voice was tight, uncertain. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say those words.”

“I don’t use them lightly.”

Jake sighed, his eyes softening as he reached out to touch her cheek. "Dana, I’ve been waiting to hear you say that, maybe since the day we met.”

She leaned into his embrace, kissing him through tears until it was hard to breathe.

Touching the paper again, she spoke. “This note, it reminded me of all the times we've tried to forget, the moments we've pushed aside. But these memories, they’re a part of us, too. We can't keep running from them."

“I’ve been thinking the same thing. Holding onto the past has only been holding us back."

Dana nodded, her eyes glistening. "I want to face it all with you, Jake. The good and the bad. We owe it to ourselves."