Chapter 11 A Good Life
Lesley’s POVN
“Oh hi! Mr, J.” My heart was beating very fast as I stared at my parent’s neighbor.”
“Oh dear, I thought that was you that I saw at the cafe. I was trying to call you but you seemed to be in a hurry.” He smiled at me, making me facepalm at my paranoia.
“Thy was you!” I exclaimed and on cue, Vincent arrived.”
“Are you okay?” He breathed, giving me a once over.
I smiled sweetly, “I’m fine.” Then turned to Mr J. “Nice to see you.” Dismissing him.”
“Of course, dear.” With that, he left.N
Soon After, my parents arrived and I told them my plan of moving in with Vincent.}]
“There is no way I would allow that!” My father’s look was outrageous.
“Dear, calm down.” My mother tried to soothe him, but it did nothing.”
“Dad, it was bound to happen anyway. Listen, I’m fine and everything will be okay, I just need to focus on myself and my career for a little while now. I would really appбyour support.” That seemed to chastised him.”
“Of course, you have my support always.” His face softened and he pulled me in for a hug.”
The moving was hectic, so was adjusting to Vincent’s place. He was really generous and had nothing to complain about, for that I was grateful.
Tonight, though, I was trying to relax. It wasn’t easy, but I wanted to. My favorite glass of wine sat on the coffee table in front of me, and I tucked my feet beneath me on the couch, flipping through Netflix as Vincent moved around the kitchen.
“What’s for dinner?” i asked, leaning back and crossing my arms, trying to act casual.
Vincent’s voice came from behind the counter, smooth and warm. “Your favorite. Spaghetti with garlic bread. I figured I would spoil you tonight.”
I smiled. “That sounds perfect,” I replied, my voice softer than I intended, closing my eyes.
“You know,” he began, and I could hear the hesitation in his tone, “I’ve been thinking about something.“}]
I opened my eyes and turned my head toward him, “What is it?” I asked, leaning forward.”
Vincent set down the wooden spoon he had been stirring with and slowly turned to face me. His gaze softened, and for the first time in a while, he seemed unsure of himself.
“I think you deserve to know this,” he said, his voice quiet. “I… I’ve been hiding it for a while now, and I don’t want to keep it from you anymore.”
I felt my heart start to race. “What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.”
He sighed and stepped closer, standing directly in front of me now, “I’ve had feelings for you, Lesley,” he confessed, his voice low and sincere. “Since the first time we met.“}
My stomach dropped.
My mind raced.
“What?” I whispered, unsure if I had heard him correctly. “Vincent, you can’t be serious. We’re friends. You’ve been nothing but supportive and I appreciate that, but.”
“Exactly,” he interrupted, his hands reaching out to gently lift my chin so that our eyes met. “And I’ve been trying to ignore it. Trying to keep it in check, because I didn’t want to push you. I didn’t want to ruin the friendship we have.“§
“I never wanted to make you uncomfortable,” he continued. “But I can’t pretend anymore, Lesley. I care about you. I’ve cared about you for a long time, and I’m not going to keep hiding it. Not now.”
I didn’t know what to say.
The truth was, I had noticed it.
I had noticed the little things.
But I had ignored it.
I had buried it under layers of grief and betrayal because I didn’t want to open myself up to anyone again.
But Vincent was different. And maybe that scared me more than anything else.
“I didn’t know,” I murmured. “I didn’t think you saw me like that.”
“I’ve always seen you, Lesley,” he said. “But I’ve never forced you. I’ve let you take your time, heal from everything. But you deserve to be happy. You deserve someone who’ll treat you the way you should’ve been treated from the start.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Why did everything feel so complicated? Why couldn’t I just forget about Trenton, about Sophie, and let myself feel what Vincent was offering me?
I reached up, my fingers brushing against his chest. His heart was beating rapidly under my touch, and I realized he wasn’t just saying this to make me feel better.
He meant it.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I don’t know if I can open myself up again.“”
My First Love Wants Me Back
Vincent nodded slowly, his hand gently cupping my face. “I’m not asking you to make a decision now. I just want you to know that I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
And with that, I knew.”
It wasn’t an answer, not yet, but it was something.”
It was a beginning.D
I opened my mouth to say something when my phone abruptly rang.
It was an email from my least expected sender.}
My day just took the right turn.
