“Yes, it does,” I replied with an absolute certainty I hadn’t had possessed before.
Taking my hand in his, he brought it to his lips. After he kissed it, he said, “Now do you have your answer?”
“Yes, I do,” I whispered.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” He pulled me into his strong embrace.
As I squeezed him tight, I said, “You’re like my fairy godmother or guardian angel, you know that right? You’re always swooping in to save me.”
He chuckled. “I think I like being a guardian angel better than a fairy.”
I laughed as I pulled away. “I think so, too.”
“So you’re going to go to him now?”
“As soon as I can pack my bag, I will. That’s if I can actually drive home being a bundle of nerves.”
Once again, Pesh took my hand. “Come on. Your fairy godmother will take you home and get you packed. Then I’ll take you to AJ’s.”
My eyes widened. “Really?”
“Of course.”
I couldn’t help my bottom lip from trembling. “That’s so sweet.”
“Before you cry, I have my ulterior motives.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I want some advice on how to get a stubborn woman to change her mind about me. Since you’re the most stubborn woman I know, I figured you could help.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “I will be happy to do anything I can to help you find happiness and true love. You know that. And just who is this brainless chick who isn’t giving you the time of day?”
“Her name is Megan, and she’s just set in her mind about something…” He pinned me with a pointed look. “Just like you.”
“Whatever,” I mumbled.
Pesh took my hand. “Come on. Time is wasting for you and your prince.”
By the time I got packed up and back into Pesh’s Jaguar, I was a nervous wreck. For most of the time, Pesh had kept my mind occupied as we worked out a strategy for him to win the girl he was in love with, and who I could tell was also in love with him but just being stubborn as hell. Sound familiar?
As Pesh started rolling my suitcases onto the front porch, I gave a teary goodbye to Jack Sparrow. “Don’t worry, Jack. Dee’s going to come feed you and take care of you.” He meowed in acknowledgement before nudging his head against my face. When I started out the door, my nerves began spinning in overdrive.
For the life of me, I don’t know why I thought it would be good to surprise AJ, rather than call him. Showing up at his penthouse seemed so impulsive—the very thing he was trying to get me to do. I was so set in my ways of needing everything to be by the book that I figured this would prove to him, in more ways than one, that I could fit into his life. Of course, I couldn’t help worrying even though AJ had given me the ultimatum, that when it finally came down to it, he would reject me. I’d pushed him too far and for too long. He would have every right to tell me it was too late for us.
As we pulled up to his building, my stomach lurched, and I fought the urge to throw-up. “Are you going to be okay?” Pesh asked.
“I hope so,” I murmured faintly.
“You’re awfully pale.”
“I’m fine.”
Pesh eyed me suspiciously one last time before turning off the car and hopping out. As I put my wobbly feet onto the pavement, he grabbed my bags from the trunk. When he rolled them over to me, he asked, “Do you want me to come inside and wait with you?”
His concern was endearing, but I knew it was time to get my big-girl panties on. “No, I’m fine. I can do this.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
Slinging my purse on my arm, I wrapped my arms around Pesh’s broad chest. “I can never thank you enough for this…for everything.”
“You don’t need to thank me. That’s what friends are for.”
After I pulled away, I kissed him on the cheek. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.”
Wagging my finger, I said, “If this Megan chick doesn’t wake up soon, I’m coming to Wellstar and having a little talk with her.”
Pesh grinned. “Okay, I think I’ll let you.”
With one last squeeze, I started into the building. Once again I realized how stupid I had been with this impulsive ambush. AJ had said he had errands. What if he wasn’t home? What if I had to sit in the lobby for hours, like a crazy stalker, for him to get in?
I approached the front desk on shaky legs. “Um, can I get you to buzz AJ Resendiz’s penthouse please?”
The woman eyed me suspiciously. “What’s your name?”
“Mia Martinelli.”
A look of recognition flashed on her face. “One moment.” She picked up the phone. “Yes, Mr. Resendiz, it’s Elana at the front desk. Your guest is down here.”
My brows rose in surprise. Had he been expecting me? “He’ll be right down,” she replied, with a snooty air in her voice.
“Thank you.” I hobbled over to the elevators to wait on AJ. My heartbeat thrummed wildly in my chest, and I chewed on my bottom lip until I felt blood rush into my mouth. The moment the elevator doors opened and I saw AJ, I couldn’t contain my emotions anymore, and I burst into tears. His brows rose in surprise, and although I could tell he was fighting himself on whether to step forward for to comfort me or not, he held back, gripping the bar on the back of the elevator wall. It was now or never, even though we had a small audience in both the lobby and on the elevator with him.
“I’m so sorry for everything, AJ,” I said through my tears. “I’m so sorry for ruining things with us by running all the time. I’m sorry I let my past with men dictate my future with you. I know you aren’t Dev and you could never, ever be Jason. I’m sorry I let my insecurities about your past and who I thought you were screw up the happiness we had. Most of all, I’m sorry I was a stupid fool and didn’t run straight back into your open arms when you offered them to me. You’re a good man, and you’ll be a great father to Bella.”
Once I finished, AJ stood there staring at me for what felt like an eternity. Oh fuck. He really had changed his mind. Standing all rigid and tense, he looked pissed that I was ambushing him. The people around us stood frozen, watching and waiting right along with me. Finally, he demanded, “Does this little performance mean you’re coming to Mexico?”