Page 28 of Love Medley (Med Wreck Romance #1)

Chapter twenty-one

Lucy

M y God, I kissed Jake. I kissed Jake Whitlock in the middle of a bar in front of everyone .

That kiss was…beyond incredible. The moment Jake’s lips touched mine, all my nerves began firing, my belly swooping low.

I never wanted to stop—until I remembered Sam.

Until then, I had no regrets.

Unfortunately, that’s the only one that really matters.

Now that I’m in the car riding back with my friends, I know for certain that I’ve never felt this way with Weston, even at the beginning. While I enjoyed the companionship—that is, before it turned dark—Weston never made me feel like a bird taking flight.

Jake does.

If I look at how this played out—in theory, it was a success. Weston was furious, and likely believes we’re together now, which was the whole point to the fake dating in the first place.

But in reality? Nothing about that moment was manufactured for Weston’s benefit. In fact, he didn’t even come to mind until I saw him stomping off for the exit.

But God—Sam. How could I have just launched myself at Jake without thinking about how it would affect him ? I admit I was thinking only about myself and my seemingly insatiable desire for this man.

And I probably messed up everything for him.

He looked completely confused after we broke apart. And my heart broke at the sight.

But that kiss wasn’t one-sided—or was it? I shrivel inside when it occurs to me that he might have been thinking of Sam during our kiss, wishing I were her.

Can someone die of embarrassment and shame? Maybe I’ll be the first.

“Our little Lucy is growing up,” Zoe says, grinning. “That kiss is something I would do!”

“I thought you said this was all a bad idea,” I say a bit flatly, my exhilaration from earlier in the night muted. If I weren’t so upset about Jake, I’d probably be glowing from her praise. It’s been a while since I’ve been the recipient of her teasing .

“I’m totally in favor of you having some fun with Jake,” Zoe counters, not at all dissuaded by my limp response. “I’m just not a proponent of falling in love.”

“But it was so romantic,” Isabelle points out. “Jake serenaded you and then you guys had that steamy kiss. It was like a movie unfolding before my very eyes. I think you guys are totally end game.”

“No way,” Zoe shoots back. “You should totally have a one-night stand with him and then move on to the next guy. You haven’t had any fun since that ass Weston, and you deserve to have some.”

“I’m not sure I can do a one-night stand,” I say faintly. The thought of Jake categorizing me as a one-and-done makes me want to hurl.

“You can take it slow,” Amelia says. “Jake seems like a nice guy, but there’s no need to rush into anything. There’s nothing wrong with just seeing how it goes. But if your only reservation is how Jake feels about you, I think it's pretty clear to all of us that Jake is completely smitten.”

My ears feel hot. “He was just being nice. I’m not sure that he’s over Sam.”

“Uh, I’m pretty sure Jake only has eyes for you. He’s probably forgotten what’s-her-face’s name by now,” Zoe says.

“I agree with Zoe,” Iz nods.

“Wonders never cease,” Amelia sighs, shaking her head with an indulgent smile .

“You really think Jake likes me?” I ask. I just don’t know how that could be true.

“He seemed pretty dazed after you jumped him,” Zoe laughs. “I think that was a pretty good sign.”

“Maybe,” I say doubtfully. But an ember of hope flares in my chest. My lips still taste of him.

The next morning, I lie in bed for a moment, feeling unbearably weary. I was restless all night, trying to decipher Jake’s feelings. Decode my own feelings. What that kiss meant.

It’s exhausting.

And yet, I still couldn’t sleep.

Finally, I drag myself out of my rumpled blankets to put on a pot of coffee.

For the first time, Jake and I don’t have plans to see each other again. Operation Fake Relationship was technically a success. So why do I feel like it was a complete failure?

I pull my phone out. I wonder if I can be bold enough to call Jake?

Point blank ask him about his feelings for Sam?

Even the thought of that makes my face burn.

Maybe it doesn’t have to be that blatant.

Maybe we could just start small? Coffee again?

Something friendly? Innocuous? Something that wouldn’t scare him off ?

After staring at his name in my phone contacts for way too long, I jump when I realize my phone is ringing with Jake’s name flashing on the screen.

“Hello?” My voice comes out little more than a squeak after clicking the green “answer” button.

“Lucy?” Just hearing that single word in Jake’s rich baritone makes me tremble in the best of ways.

“Hey, Jake.”

There’s a pause, and I wonder if the call dropped.

But then he says, “Um…I don’t know how to segue into this gracefully so I’ll just say it.”

My heart is in my throat. What? What could he possibly have to say?

Then the words rush out as if he’s been holding them in for a long time. “I’m not into Sam. I’ve been over Sam for a while. I just couldn’t bear for you to believe that any more. It felt dishonest.”

I blink. What? “Uh…” My brain is scrambling to understand what he’s saying, to reframe the past two weeks. “But then why?”

Another beat. “Fuck,” he breathes, and I can even imagine him running a hand through his hair. “I just…I wanted you to feel comfortable with the whole fake dating thing. You seemed to need more reassurance for me to help out with Weston. And I really wanted to help you.”

And again like a broken record, all I can say is, “But why?”

“God, Lucy. Isn’t it obvious? Because it’s you . ”

The silence stretches out between us. Pieces start locking into place. All those feelings, they weren’t fake. Those moments between us were real…for both of us.

Jake’s now babbling adorably. “You are so different from any woman I’ve ever met.

I feel like we’ve known each other for so much longer than a couple of weeks.

Maybe it’s just me, but I just feel like you get me, you understand me in a way no one else has before.

But you’re probably just thinking I’m crazy for saying any of this stuff, and—”

And now I’m smiling, a radiant warmth spreading through me. “Jake,” I interrupt.

“I know that there’s no reason for us to get together anymore, but maybe we can—”

“Jake,” I say louder, and he falls silent.

I take a deep breath. Be brave, Lucy.

“I want to ask you out.” And just in case, to make it crystal clear. “On a real date.”

A long pause. And now I’m wondering if I misstepped.

Then a bark of surprised laughter on the other end. “Yes!”

I giggle back. Wow, this is actually happening. “Really?”

Jake’s answer is firm with no hesitation. “Really.”

“Okay, then.” I bite my lip, suddenly abashed. “Um, I guess I didn’t really think any further than that.”

I can hear the smile in Jake’s voice as he says, “I know of a great sushi place, if that’s something you’re even interested in. But wherever you want to go is fine with me. ”

I can’t stop the upwards curve of my lips. “That sounds amazing. I love sushi.”

My mind is whirling at this conversation, an unsettling but also exhilarating kind of whiplash. For someone who insisted that she wasn’t going to fall for anyone this year, she was pretty damned wrong.

Jake laughs, a rich sound that heats me to my toes, which curl involuntarily. “I’m glad you approve. Does Tuesday night sound good? Pick you up around 6:30pm?”

Oh, wow . I’m gripping the phone so hard that I’m leaving imprints on my hand. I clear my throat. “Perfect.” I’m amazed that I sound calm when there are butterflies fluttering like mad in my belly.

I’m dying to ask him to define whatever this is, but I know that if we’re going to have this conversation, it has to be in person.

“See you soon.”

“Bye.” I say, barely capable of pressing the “end” button on my phone.

I drop backwards onto my bed spread-eagled like I’m about to make a snow angel and squeal like an idiot, flinging my arms and legs outward in a joyous movement.

All this time, Jake didn’t have feelings for Sam. And actually liked me ? After a few moments of feeling ridiculous for all of my unnecessary pining, I’m filled with a beam of unfiltered joy. When was the last time I felt like this ?

Then just as suddenly, I’m struck with apprehension, second-guessing my spur-of-the-moment ask. Maybe this is going too fast? What if this is the wrong decision?

But I remind myself—going with the man to sushi isn’t a crime. As Amelia says, I can take this slow and see how it goes. No strings attached.

And I’m going to use this as an excuse to get a new outfit.