Chapter 15

Her heart thundering, Kayla took the steps, two at a time, ran to the closet, and whipped out the first pair of jeans and sweater she saw, not caring that the jeans were too big and that the sweater had a dorky snowman on it. She threw it all on, flew down the stairs, slipped her arm through her winter coat, opened the door, and saw a reporter already at her door. She'd probably come down as soon as Kayla had spoken on TV.

A stampede and clattering in the kitchen caught her attention, and she slammed the front door, ran to the back, and was relieved to see it was her mother, her Aunt Gina, Tania, Robbie, and Mia. "We watched the whole thing. Que romántico!" Her aunt Gina hugged her.

"Come on, let's go. The car's in front of Mr. Patowski's house. We cut through Robbie's backyard. Don't worry, we'll lose the paps, hija!" her mother yelled.

"The paps? There's just one reporter, ma. This isn't Hollywood, You're overreacting."

"Where was your first kiss?" Robbie demanded as they cut through his yard and entered his house.

"I can't believe you put yourself out there like that, Kayla. I swear I wanted to strangle you," Tania interrupted.

"She really did want to strangle you. And Jake," Aunt Gina said.

"At The H," she said to Robbie before turning to Tania. "You came to strangle me? 'Cause let me tell you, I'm fighting back. I've had it with your gloom and doom when it comes to relationships."

"No. I didn't come to strangle you. I came to talk, but they won't let me. I need to talk to you, Kayla, I really do."

Everyone began shouting at Tania at the same time, and they sounded like a bunch of squabbling hens. "Stop!" Kayla yelled. And they stopped. "Just give us a moment, okay? I promise I won't let her get to me."

Amid protests, she dragged her sister into Robbie's living room. "You're not going to talk me out of this, Tania. There's no way, my heart's made up."

"Just hush, okay?" Tania sat down on a sofa arm. When she looked up, a big, fat tear was rolling down her cheek, and Kayla was instantly beside her. Her sister hadn't cried in years.

"I don't want to be like this, Kayla. I really don't. I don't want to be negative. I want to be the voice of reason. I love you so, so much and I don't want you to ever feel so profoundly stupid that you know you can never trust your judgment again. Or to ever question why you aren't special enough to have the person you put so much trust in to love you enough. Just enough." Tania shook, and Kayla put her arm around her.

"I love you, too, Tania. But please stop holding on so tight to things that hurt, it kills us all to see you do that. It's not good for Mia." They hugged until exasperated voices called them from outside.

"I know. That's what I'm trying to say." Tania wiped her eyes. "I think I can at least try to let go of worrying over you. That has to be a start. Just know that no matter how this plays out, I'm going to be here for you. Starting today. I love my daughter, and because of her, I can't regret anything, and I don't want you to have regrets, either. So let's get off our butts. You need to go meet Jake so we can see how this whole thing will turn out!" She got up and hauled Kayla to her feet.

The whole family raced past Mr. Patowski, who merely waved and said, "You go, girl!" as Tania opened the car door.

"Kayla, Tania, both of you squeeze in and hide. If either of you is recognized, the paps will follow us. I'll drive!" Aunt Gina took the keys away from Tania.

"No way, I've seen you drive!" Their mom said, but everyone was already in, and Aunt Gina was about to pull out.

She hoped in, and they were on their way, with a maniac at the wheel. As they zipped through the city at questionable speeds, Julia called to let Kayla know she'd be waiting at the hotel with the special key card.

What seemed like an eternity later, Aunt Gina sped the car around the back of the hotel, and Robbie and Tania practically shoved Kayla out of the car.

Both Julia and Patty were there with the key card, but Patty grabbed Kayla, hugged her hard, and wouldn't let go. Julia had to step in and remind her Jake was waiting.

She stepped onto the rooftop garden, and Jake turned from where he had been looking out onto the city. They studied each other uncertainly. "Hey," she said.

"Hey," he answered. They were awkward and probably silly, but the look in his eyes was warm and soft and melting, and she wasn't quite ready to meet it.

She took in his oversized coat, faded hoodie, and jeans. He looked ridiculous and sexy and dangerous to her well-being. "You had time to change?" she asked as if they were old friends meeting on the street.

"One of the production assistants and I switched clothes. His idea. Marcus led him out, head down, and everyone thought he was me. I took a bus and the L, and kept my head low, too." He smiled, and Kayla's heart skipped in her chest as if it were trying to get nearer to him. He walked over and held out his hand. "I was afraid you wouldn't come."

She took it and finally met his glowing gaze. Her heart dancing wildly, she took the plunge. "Well... you said you had something to say to me. About that weekend..."

He pulled her close. "I started to tell you in the car on our way home from the river, but it came out wrong, and you didn't seem to want to hear it. I knew the timing was off, and I didn't know if it would ever be right. Or if you'd ever feel the same way. The truth about that weekend is that I fell in love with you." He searched her eyes and said, "I love you, Kayla," with so much feeling, it left her breathless.

Kayla met his gaze and knew all the longing in her heart was laid bare for him to see. "I'm so in love with you," she choked out.

He wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "I won't hurt you, Kayla. I swear I'll love you so well..." He slipped his arms around her waist and rubbed her nose with his. It was adorable, and it made her melt.

She began to sway softly as if she was dancing to a slow, sultry song only she could hear. He began to move along with her, kissing her softly, here and there. Kayla slid her arms up around his neck and pulled him as close as possible, and they swayed together until his kisses reached her lips, and deepened, and their hands started to explore. "Where do we go from here, Jake?" she asked, her breath coming in pants.

"My place," he said between kisses. And she laughed against his mouth. "No. I mean us... where do we go from here?"

"How about we give this our all, because it's worth it, but we take it one day at a time, because our lives are so crazy right now, and we're both new to this?"

She gave him a watery smile and nodded.

"Just please promise me that you'll never walk away from me when our feelings are raw," he said, his expression serious.

"I won't. And you promise that you won't freeze me out. When you do, it leaves me feeling unsure of where I stand with you."

"I promise. See?" He smiled his sexy smile. "We've always been able to compromise."

"Yes." Kayla placed her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and let herself be happy.