The Exception(64)

I wasn’t shocked in the least. In fact, I felt they should have divorced years ago. Kids never want to see their parents get divorced, but in my case, I sort of welcomed it.

“I understand, Dad.”

“I lost the woman who I believed was the love of my life twenty-four years ago and I’m not about to live in a loveless unhappy marriage anymore. If there’s one thing you taught me, Jill, it’s that you don’t have to settle for anything in life.” He placed his hand on my cheek.

“What about everything you worked so hard for? Mom will try to take you for everything you have.”

“I know, but she won’t get everything.” He gave a small smile. “That’s not for you to worry about. I’ll be fine.”

“And what about Kristen? What happened all those years ago will get out.”

“And I’ll be the one telling it. Listen, I have to go now, sweetheart.” We both got up from the couch and I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tight. “I like Drew, Jill. I think he’s a good man and I know he loves you. Don’t do what I did all those years ago. Don’t be afraid and just let life lead you in the right direction. It led you to Drew for a reason. I love you and I just want you to be happy.”

“I know, Dad. I love you too.”

“Goodbye, sweet girl.” He kissed my forehead. “Stay in touch with your old man.”

“I will.”

I gave him one last hug before he climbed into the limo and drove off. Hailing a cab back to my apartment, I nervously paced around the room, waiting for Drew to arrive. What if he didn’t want me anymore? After all, he did bring another woman to my sister’s wedding. The minute I heard the knock on the door, my heart started racing and the nervousness that I felt was at an all-time high. I stood there for a moment with my hand on the doorknob and took in a deep breath.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” Drew smiled as he stepped inside. “You wanted to talk?”

“Yeah.” I began to pace around the living room.

“Do you want to sit down?” he asked.

“No. You sit. I’m just going to pace around. There are some things I need to say to you.”

“Okay.” He took a seat on the couch.

Taking in a deep long breath, I held it for a moment before letting it out.

“I want to apologize to you for being a bitch.”

“You aren’t a bitch, Jillian. Don’t ever say that.”

Turning around, I held up my finger. “Yes. Yes, I am. I led you on. Made you think that there was something more between us than just friends. I let you have sex with me, multiple times. We did things together that couples do and then when you mentioned the word ‘us,’ I freaked out. And you want to know why I freaked out? Because as much as I wanted to be alone and be on my own with no distractions, I liked ‘us.’ I liked having sex with you multiple times a day. I liked going shopping for dishes. I liked going out to eat with you and I liked waking up to you every morning. I liked how you held me at night and made me feel safe, and I liked how you understood me and wanted to take care of me.”

“I liked all that too,” he spoke.

“No. No. Don’t speak yet until I’m finished.”

A small smile crossed his lips.

“I was lost, so lost in a world where I didn’t exactly know where I belonged. I was struggling to find myself and my place in this world. And then I met you, and suddenly, I didn’t feel lost anymore. Which, by the way, scared me because it wasn’t supposed to happen that way. When you left that night, I felt lost again and I hated the fact that I needed you so much in my life and not just as a friend. Now you’ve met someone else and, to be honest, I’m having a hard time handling it. There, I said it.”

“Can I speak now?”

Taking in a deep breath, I spoke, “Yes.”

Getting up from the couch, he walked over to me and placed a tight grip on my hips.

“Lia is my secretary. She’s not someone I’m interested in. I only brought her to the wedding to make you jealous and I deeply apologize for that. I know I’m a dick and I hope you can forgive me.”

“So, she’s not someone you’re dating?”

“No, Jill.” He smiled. “She’s my secretary and a damn good one. I’m not interested in dating anyone else. You’re the only woman in this world I want. You had me in the palm of your hand the minute you sat down next to me on that plane. I can’t explain it. I wish I could, but I can’t. I have never felt this way about anyone before. I am so in love with you, Jillian Bell, that sometimes it hurts. You’re all I think about every second of every day and you’re all I dream about at night. I love you, you crazy girl, and I don’t want to stop you from finding yourself, but I’ll be there for you every step of the way. I promise.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks as our eyes stayed locked on each other’s and he took his thumbs and gently wiped them away.

“You’re beautiful when you cry.” He smiled.

“When I started my journey, nothing was getting in my way; there were no exceptions. Except you became the exception because I couldn’t help but fall in love with you.”

“Do you know how happy that makes me to hear you say that?” Tears filled his eyes. “I love you, Jillian.”