The Next Chapter (NEW VERSION)

Chapter 31

—Emily's POV—

Turns out Jessica is very, very bad at decision-making. In the last two hours, she's tried on every dress in this shop, in every color, and has selected her top ten favorites. Jake and I are sitting on the couch in front of her, watching her every move. Well, I'm watching her, Jake on the other hand is sleeping. Very clever though, he put his sunglasses on so it's not that obvious.

"Okay! I think I know now!" She claps her hands. "I don't like this one." And away goes the blue dress.

"That's it? I thought you meant that you knew what dress to choose?"

"No! Still have nine left silly." She laughs.

I can hear Jake chuckle and turn to face him. "Asshole."

"Sorry I dragged you into this."

"Are you though?"

He starts laughing. "No."

"Double asshole."

"Double asshole? Damn, you must really hate me."

"I don't hate you." That made him turn to me.

"You don't?"

"Of course not. I've never hated you."

"Bullshit."

"What?"

"Bullshit. You've hated me lots of times."

"Jake, I've been angry at you, yes. I've been furious even, but I've never hated you." Silence, I glance over at Jessica but she's too caught up in her dress decision to pay attention to us. "Did you... Did you ever hate me?"

"Never in a million years."

"Do you hate me no-"

"Don't even finish that fucking sentence."

I look at Jessica one more time to make sure that she can't see or hear us, then I grab Jake's hand and lead him towards the bathroom. "Emily, what are we-"

"Just follow me."

"Emily." He pulls me to a stop right at the door.

"Please." I plead with him. No other words are needed, he nods and opens the door for me, closing it after he enters. He leans back against it and I'm suddenly aware of how close we are. And alone.

Fuck that.

With two long steps, I'm right in front of him, only an inch from his lips. I can feel my chest rise and fall harder than before, my hands slowly but confidently making their way to his face. And I can feel him leaning into my touch, slowly releasing a breath he was holding in. "Emily... Don't do this to me. Please, don't do this."

"Don't do what?"

"This. Torture me. Giving me these thoughts, these feelings that I don't want."

"You don't want?" I move closer. My mouth only ever so slightly brushing against his. "Then what do you want, Jake?"

"You. All I've ever wanted is you. All I want is you. But I cannot have you while you're still with him, Emily. Why can't you let him go? Why can't we be happy?" He says, touching my forehead with his. "I can promise you that I'll make you happier than he ever will. Just give me one more chance. Please."

It's true and I know it. I may have loved Michael, but he will never, no one will ever, match up to Jake. His love is different, it only took me five years to realize but I did. I finally did. I quickly let go of him and back away.

"No, why-"

"I have to go. If this can work I have to end things with Michael." That came out more quickly than I thought.