Kissing Jenna (Big Sky 2)

But this time, I don’t know why he’s here.

“Thanks to the fucking blizzard, it took me three days to get here, and I have some things to say.” He clears his throat and looks down at the floor, and I’ve never been so happy to see someone in my life.

He came back!

“Well, you might as well take off your coat and get comfortable.” I walk away, waiting while he does just that and then comes into the living room.

“Who are the flowers from?” he asks.

I tilt my head to the side. “I helped Hannah pick out flowers and cake for the wedding today, and the florist gave them to me.”

He nods and lets out a long, slow breath.

“I saw the photo of you with him,” he begins, and I frown, watching him start to pace the living room.

“With who?”

“I have no idea who he is,” Christian replies with a shrug. “It was posted on one of the gossip sites.”

“That’s one I haven’t seen.”

He pulls out his phone, taps it, and then holds it out for me to see.

“Noah,” I say softly and hand his phone back. “That’s Noah King. He’s a good friend of mine. I saw him at Drips & Sips about a week ago.”

“I didn’t like it. They made it look like you’re dating him.”

“Yeah? Well, you were splashed all over Entertainment Tonight with Serena, and trust me when I say, they didn’t make it look like you dislike her. They spin lies, Christian. You know that better than anyone.”

“I still didn’t like it,” he says with a sigh. “And I do know how much they love drama. It didn’t change the fact that I saw it and wanted to kill him with my bare hands.”

“Christian—”

“And I don’t know what Nina said to you that day,” he continues, on a roll now. “But you need to listen to me, not her. She doesn’t speak for me, Jenna.”

“She didn’t lie to me.” I stand now, also pacing the room, watching him. We’re like two caged animals circling each other. “She didn’t say anything that isn’t true, Christian. Her delivery might have been a bit harsh, but she’s right. We live two very different lives. I just don’t see how we can make it work. You’re movie premieres and fancy houses and cars, and I’m a small-town girl who’s happy to take care of vacation rentals and spend my summers on the lake.”

I shrug, holding my hands out at my sides. “And, besides, I don’t particularly like the press, Christian. I know they’re a part of what you do, and it’s not your fault, but I hate it. I think it’s disrespectful and just plain hurtful the way they target you. They’ll always try to pair you with some starlet, to make it look like you’re a couple. And even if I know the truth, it doesn’t make it easier to live with. I don’t know that I can live that life.”

“I know.” He pushes his hand through his hair and swears under his breath as he walks to the fireplace and shoves his hands into his pockets, watching the flames. “I know what they do, and asking you to take that on isn’t fair.”

He turns to me now, and his face is full of so much pain, so much anguish, I want to run to him and hold him close, to assure him that everything will be okay.

“They will always do that, Jenna. I can’t stop it. Unless…”

His eyes narrow, and he begins walking toward me. “Unless?”

“They won’t stop until I put a ring on someone’s finger, Jenna. Until I’m finally settled and happy.”

He drops to one knee before me, and I feel my eyes widen in shock.

“I’m not saying this for them. I want to make that perfectly clear, right here and now. I’ve never asked anyone this question before. But, Jenna, I can’t do this life without you. I don’t think I started to breathe until the moment I first touched you.”

He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, and then reaches into his pocket, pulling out a tiny, red box. He flips the lid, and twinkling at me, is the most amazing ring I’ve ever seen.

But I can’t take my eyes off Christian’s face.

“You are the best part of my life, and I will shout that I love you so much that I ache with it from the rooftops without hesitation. I need you by my side for the rest of my life. Let’s end this media circus here and now, Jenna. Be mine. Marry me.”

I fall to my knees before him and cup his face. I can feel tears flowing down my cheeks, and he brushes them away with his fingers.

“Please,” he whispers.

“I love you, too.” My voice is soft, and my chest is full of so much joy and hope. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that I pushed you away without trying to talk about all of the conflicting thoughts running through my head. And I’m sorry that I let your sister’s words feed my insecurities. You didn’t deserve that, and neither did I.