The video shows her dabbing a beige liquid onto the soft skin beneath her eyes. “Mine are really bad, because I haven’t been sleeping. See, I kinda hurt someone I love, because he hurt me too.”
My gaze snaps up to Rachel—the one standing five feet away. She bites at the corner of her lower lip and points at the phone, encouraging me to watch.
On screen she blends the color until her foundation is flawless. She presses her lips together, assessing her work before setting down the foam square. “And instead of communicating or listening to my heart, I let my past and the fear of getting hurt be my guide. I messed things up. Badly. And I hope he’ll forgive me.”
She holds a palatte up to the camera. “Which is why I’m going with a natural look. I’m choosing these colors because they’re subtle and work with my skin tone, but feel free to change it up. I also won’t be applying any mascara or eyeliner—and I know, how can that be?” She gasps dramatically.
My lips pull to a smile.
“But this could go badly. Even after I tell him how much I love him, that I don’t want another day to go by that I don’t talk to him, or how all I want is a second chance to love him better. Well, he could say he’s moved on, and that would make me cry. If my heart’s broken, the least I can do is not look like a wild raccoon!”
I glance from the Rachel on the phone screen to the one in front of me. Her eyes are wide, glistening with unshed tears, but full of hope. My heart hammers in my chest. She loves me. She wants to be together. She wants to give us another chance.
“I’m also going to go with a sheer lip gloss. Because I have high hopes for kissing, and most guys don’t appreciate looking like a clown after a make-out sesh.”
She wants a kiss. She wants me. I drop the phone to the couch, shoving to my feet, and taking a step toward her. With each inhale, my chest feels a little lighter. Each move forward, like I’m righting a wrong.
“There you have it. It’s the perfect look for telling the person you love you’re sorry. If you’re feeling confident, you can pair it with a wrap dress and some flirty heels. Now, I’ve gotta run. Wish me luck because I’m off to find my man.”
She presses her lips together, her gaze never leaving mine as the video continues to play somewhere behind us. I can’t wait another second; I have to touch her. My hands splay at her hips, wrapping around her waist as I erase what’s left of the space between us.
“Drop your words of encouragement in the comments, and feel free to share or subscribe so you don’t miss my next video which will either be ‘Creating the Perfect I Survived My Broken Heart Weekend Brunch’ look, or ‘Creating the Perfect Look After Making Up with Your Man’ look. I’m Rae and I hope you have a lovely day! Until next time.”
Her chin tips up and the hint of a smile plays at her mouth. “What do you think?”
I cup her jaw in my hand, stroking my thumb across her cheek, my eyes dropping to her mouth. “My bet’s on the second look.”
Like the perfect wave on the horizon, coming in powerful and fierce, her lips crash with mine. She holds my heart. She’s my home. For the first time in three weeks my soul rests easy, relishing in the warmth her love provides. Our mouths move together, neither of us willing to bail. Riding this feeling all the way to shore.
“Rachel.” I tear my lips away and attempt to catch my breath. Pointless with the way my heart races. As much as my fingers itch to unwrap her dress like my favorite present, I won’t rush. I need to make sure this is real. That she’s committed for the long haul. “Did you mean it?”
“Every word.” She presses her hand to my chest, as if she can feel my heart. “I’m sorry I ran when it got hard. When I got scared. I won’t do that again. I promise.”
“I never said those things to Pierce, or made a deal with him. I wouldn’t—”
“I know.” She nods. “And I should’ve given you a chance to explain. It’s just, with all the other things you kept from me”—she swallows hard—“it was too much.”
My gut twists, knowing I let her down. That I hurt her. “I was wrong. What I did wasn’t honest, and I knew it. I should’ve come clean. I’m sorry you had to find out the way you did.”
“Don’t lie to me again. Even when you know I won’t like the truth. I might kick and scream and fight you on things, but I deserve to be part of the conversation.”
“I swear. I’ll always be honest.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” I cover her hand with mine, pressing it to my chest. “Don’t ever leave me again. I’m a mess without you.”
“I was hurt.” Her gaze lowers and she leans into me, allowing me to pull her close. “I felt betrayed because you lied.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.” I press a kiss to her cheek. “I never meant to hurt you.” I wish I could take away that hurt. Erase both hers and mine, but that’s impossible. All I can do is make the commitment to never let it happen again.
“I love you, Jude.” She sways into my body, her lips finding mine. A promise. A balm to my soul.
My response comes easy and quick, honest and true. “I love you, Rachel.”
“Stay with me.” She steps back, her hand dropping from my chest
