Page 60 of When Javi Dumped Mari

Javi

Now

As Mari and I wander the property, I clench and unclench my fists, trying to stop my hands from shaking. I’ve never felt more off-kilter in my life.

Mari isn’t marrying Alex. Today or any day, apparently. And I don’t know what this means for us, or whether it means anything for us, even, but I’m going to say my piece and accept the consequences.

She points to a low retaining wall that separates the main building from the cottages, the edges of the sunlit vineyards just in sight.

“This works,” I say.

Mari raises the skirt of her wedding gown and tries to hoist her butt onto the stone cap, but she isn’t tall enough to reach it.

“Here, let me help you,” I say, lifting her by the waist.

Once she’s situated, I settle next to her.

We sit together in silence for a long moment, until she raises her shoulders and lets out a long sigh. “I don’t know where to begin.”

I angle my body in her direction, eager to see every single expression on her face. “I don’t know where to begin either. There’s so much to say, but I’m worried I’ll frighten you off.”

She laughs. “Javi, I just called off my wedding. I’m made of sturdy stuff.”

“Fair point, fair point,” I say, rolling my shoulders, then stretching my neck. Okay, you can do this, Javi.

“Are you about to run a race?” Mari asks with an impish smile. “Need me to help you loosen your—”

“I love you,” I say, unable to hold back the words any longer. “And it feels so damn good to finally say it out loud. Properly. Without reservation. That’s the most important thing I need to tell you today.”

Her smile slips just as her eyes widen, and then she draws in a steadying breath. “Go on.”

I take her hand with every intention of saying all the things I regrettably left unsaid over the years.

“I’ve fucked this up—this, us —for so long, and I don’t want another second to pass without you knowing that, for me, it’s you, it’s always been you, it could never be anyone but you.

It’s taken more time than I want to admit for my brain to catch up with my heart.

For too long, I made excuses for why we couldn’t be together, why I didn’t deserve you, why I’d never be enough for you.

I let my fears and insecurities get in the way of fighting for the one thing I want most in this world. ”

“What do you want most in the world?” she whispers cautiously.

I don’t want her to wonder what she means to me. I don’t want her to guess how much I care. So I bring my forehead to hers, needing to be as close to her as possible when I say this: “What I want most in the world is your love in return.”

She caresses my cheek, her sweet breath tickling my skin. “Oh, meu amor, you have it.”

That simple declaration stitches itself onto my heart, and now it’ll be with me wherever I go.

Those few but mighty words give me the courage to tell her everything: the hang-ups, the doubts, the voices in my head that convinced me our friendship was all I could hope for.

I finally tell her about her father. About the way his malicious words wormed themselves into my brain and settled there.

I tell her, too, how much and how long I’ve adored her.

“There wasn’t a moment in all the years since I’ve known you that I wasn’t in love with you.

I pushed you away, at first because I wanted to protect you, and then because I wanted to protect myself.

I’m so fucking sorry I let my fears get in our way.

” She listens intently, her gaze never leaving my face.

When I’m done, I squeeze my eyes shut, then open them, drawing back so I can peer at her.

“Tell me you love me. Say it out loud. Please.”

“I love you, Javi,” she says, her eyes steady and bright.

“It’s been a journey to get here, it really has, but you are the love of my life.

Always have been. You’re the person who knows me best. The person who’s always looked out for me—even when I didn’t realize I needed you to.

The person who knew I deserved more when I couldn’t see that on my own.

We don’t just fit. We’re unique and interlocking pieces, with curves and edges that make it impossible for us to fit together with anyone else. ”

I’m overwhelmed by her words. They reveal so much more than I’d ever imagined for us. “You’re incredible.”

“And don’t you forget it,” she says with a wink. But then her smile fades much too soon. “There’s something else, though.”

“What?” I ask, an empty feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.

“I know you want to slay dragons in my honor, but you can’t protect me from the ugliness of the world. If we’re going to be partners, you need to trust that I can handle whatever life throws at us. When there’s a problem, we need to tackle it together .”

I nod so hard my head hurts. “Together. From this point on.”

“Together,” she agrees, her eyes glistening. “I like the sound of that.”

Mari’s absolutely the one. Always will be.

I’m so fucking happy I feel weightless. Unstoppable but also utterly weak for her.

I rest my finger under her chin and lean in for a kiss.

She meets me halfway, fluttering her eyes closed and sighing happily when our lips touch.

My heart thumps as I worship her lips, kissing them softly, reverently.

Mari is mine, and I am hers. It’s just that simple.

When we separate, I push a curl off her face and stare at her in wonder. “I can’t believe any of this is real.”

“It’s not just real,” she says, stroking my jaw, “it’s forever.”

Forever.

Para siempre.

Para sempre.

That’s been our promise for so long. Now we’re finally making good on it.