Chapter 22
Justin
It was evening by the time I got back to the city.
We had a wedding that night at the winery and I knew Luke needed the extra help so I called him on my cell phone as I crossed the bridge.
"Hey, man, I'm not going to be able to make it until later. Think you can hold the fort down without me?"
Luke blew a big breath of air into the phone. "Okay, man, but you owe me, okay?"
I laughed. "I'll take your next three weddings."
"Done."
I hung up the phone and turned toward Williamsburg. Pulling into the bakery, I mentally prepared myself.
I bought bouquet of sunflowers from a stand on the way into town and a copy of Kurt Remington's latest book. I didn't know if that would actually do anything, but at least it was a start for apologies.
The bell rang over the door in the bakery and a tall, very built man was behind the counter. "How can I help you?" he asked in a British accent.
I swallowed hard. "Um. I'm looking for Willa. I know you're probably going to tell me she's not here, like everyone else has, but I'm her boyfriend, well, ex-boyfriend. I've been trying to apologize to her and I haven't been able to. I know that an apology doesn't do much, but I'm going to keep trying until she'll talk to me."
The man nodded. "Well, that's a nice speech and all, but I would have told you that she's been at the market and then had to meet a friend for drinks. I'm not sure when she'll be around."
"Oh." I nodded. "I'll wait, I guess."
I went toward the door when the man yelled. "Hey, Justin."
I turned, wondering how he even knew my name.
"I'm rooting for you, man. Always have been. I hope that she listens to you and you two find your happily ever after."
I nodded, opening the door. "Thanks."
I stood outside her apartment door. Waiting.
It felt like it was hours.
I sat on the ground.
I leaned against the stone wall.
By the time I started to hear voices, I was afraid it was someone reporting me for loitering, so I roused in my half asleep state and stood up.
Around the corner came the clicking of heels and then came into view a gorgeous Willa. More gorgeous than usual in a short black dress and heels with her hair cascading in waves down her shoulders.
"Justin?"
I approached her, the flowers and book fallen at my side. "Willa. Please. Listen to me. I..."
She put her hand up and shook her head. "I don't want to hear a half-ass apology. I don't want to hear any of it."
I sighed. "Please? Can you give me a chance?"
She chewed on her bottom lip. "Only if I can go first?"
I blinked hard and then nodded. "Okay."
She let out a deep breath and looked at the ground before her eyes met mine. "Justin, when I fell for you, I fell hard. I gave you my whole heart and I wasn't expecting you to ever give it back, let alone break it."
I opened my mouth to speak, but she put her hand up, stopping my words.
"But I think I was the one that let it break. I should have let you explain instead of running. There was probably a good reason."
I nodded. "There is. She was a jealous ex-girlfriend from high school that seemed to think you were replaceable and you aren't. You can't be replaced. My heart won't let it."
She smiled. "I can't say that I'm happy she kissed you."
I shook my head. "Neither was I. The girl was like an octopus that suctioned onto me and I couldn't get her off."
Willa laughed that melodious laugh that I had missed so much.
I approached her, cupping her face in my hands. "Willa, there's this thing. This thing I haven't felt in a long time. Really felt ever. This thing is some kind of love. It's not like my love for the winery or my love of music. It's a love for you. A love I never want to lose again. Can you please forgive me? Say you won't give up on some kind of love?"
She leaned in, breathing softly on my lips. "I think you were right all along, Justin."
I raised my eyebrows. "What? About what?"
"That maybe I should be writing romance, and maybe our love story is the best one that hasn't been told."
I smiled and leaned in, pressing my lips to hers. This wasn't a kiss I wanted to forget and she wasn't just some kind of love. This girl was my love. My heart. My love story.
And I was never going to let our story end.
About The Author
Magan Vernon has been living off of reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her two young children run amok around her Texas ranch.
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