As the wind touched my cheek gently my heart pounded in my chest. Had I heard that correctly? Did he just say what I thought he said? I could feel my palms starting to sweat, which was quite unusual since it was such a cool evening.

“Meg” he replied, “Did you hear me?”

The world felt like it was spinning. Like one of those rides at an amusement park.

“I’m not sure” I said back hesitantly, “Would you please repeat that?”

I could hear him almost laugh behind me as he turned me around to face him.

“Don’t tell me I did it so wrong that you didn’t even hear me?” he joked.

“I just want to make sure I heard what I heard” I replied trying to keep my wits about me, “And not only in a dream state” I added to myself in my own head.

“Okay” he smiled, “Maybe I really did startle you.”

“Startle me?” I blinked, “You mean I did hear correctly?”

“Yes” he smiled even more leaning his face closer to mine, “I love you Meg.”

Before I knew it his lips were touching mine. The softest lips too. My first kiss ever. I don’t know how to describe it. I had imagined this moment so many times and now it was staring me right in the face. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and the slight anxiety in my head as I pulled away abruptly. He looked at me quizzically as my eyes moved to the ground.

“Meg?”

“Uh” I began, “I.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing” I shook my head clearly lying to myself and him, “I just need to go do something” I took a step back.

“Huh?” he took a step forward slightly holding out his hand.

“I need to go” I insisted, “Right now” I rushed back inside the hotel room and headed for my own bedroom closing the door loudly behind me.

(Next Scene)

Okay I thought, as I stood there rigid on the spot, that didn’t go exactly how I thought it would. I could feel my shoulders starting to slump as I watched her retreating figure. What had gone wrong? Had I been too forward? Should I not have kissed her? I couldn’t figure it out as I scratched the back of my head. The moment had been perfect hadn’t it? I walked slowly back in the room as Shelly came back from her long tedious day of shopping. At least tedious in my eyes.

“Hey Jacob” she smiled cheerfully almost giddy as she put down her bags, “Where’s Meg?”

“Uh” I started to say with an obvious disappointed expression, “In her room I guess. I’m gonna go for a walk” I moved towards the door.

“But it’s almost dinnertime” she pointed out as I opened it.

“I’m not hungry” I said back sadly and then shut the door behind me.

(Next Scene)

I heard every word. I heard as he left. How could I not when I was still leaning against my bedroom door? There was definite disappointment when he spoke to Shell. What was I doing? Why did I run away like that? I do this every time! I banged the back of my head on the door. The more I thought about it the more my head started to pound. Of course that could have something to do with the fact that I was banging it repeatedly against the back of the door. He had been so honest with his feelings and I had just brushed him off. What kind of person am I, I wondered as I finally pulled away from the door and sat on the bed, taking a pillow in my arms and holding it close to my chest. I knew that this wasn’t the first time that this had happened before though. It was the same back then. This situation has happened before I repeated to myself. And I don’t mean with Morgan Roberts I grimaced slightly as I thought, but just like now I ran away. It always happens when someone gets too close to me. I shut down, I block them out. What is wrong with me I thought bitterly as a tear slid down my cheek? Why am I always pushing away, love?

(Next Scene)

I sat down in the lobby staring at the fountain. So many people rushed by me, mostly couples and I could feel the ache in my own heart. What had gone wrong I kept asking myself? Suddenly without my knowledge Shelly was standing in front of me looking down into my face with a concerned expression.

“Jacob” she replied somberly.

“What’s up?” I tried to sound cheerful.

“Did you and Meg have another fight?” she asked as if she knew us better than we knew ourselves.

“No” I shook my head, “We hardly ever fight. I just did something stupid I guess.”

“Stupid?”

“I think I made the mistake of saying how I felt too early,” I explained.

Shelly’s eyes blinked and then she sat down next to me.

“You told Meg” she replied slowly, “That you like her?”

“More than that” I replied back, “I said I loved her.”

“Oh Jacob” her eyes softened, “I knew you felt this way a long time. I was wondering when you were going to say something.”

“Yea” I nodded not really caring either way that she knew, “I thought I picked the perfect moment too. I guess I was wrong. Maybe” I sighed heavily, “She doesn’t feel the same way about me.”

“I don’t think that’s true” she shook her head as I leaned forward, “ I can tell that’s not the case.”

“Shelly” I paused and then leaned back, “You know Meg practically better than anyone because you’re sisters. Can you tell me what I did wrong? Why she ran away from me?”

“Oh Jacob” she repeated and shook her head a second time, “It’s nothing you did wrong. Meg’s always been like this.”

“I don’t understand” I shook my own head.

“As a matter of fact you’re not the first person who has said those words to Meg. Meaning not the only guy.”

“You mean Morgan Roberts?” I frowned.

“No not him. It was back in her first year of high school. He was the school’s tennis champion and a very good friend of Meg’s. In fact you could say that they were just as close as the two of you are now.”

“What happened?”

“Well one afternoon after a rousing practice of tennis he told her that he loved her and that he wanted to go out with her. And Meg pulled away. You see Jacob you have to understand something about my little sister. She does everything she can to please people but when it comes to things she wants in her own heart she always believes that she doesn’t deserve it. She really liked Keith and when she found out that he felt the same, the panic began. She’s still a lot that wayeven with my father and I. Whenever someone tries to give her love and affection she pulls away. She doesn’t accept compliments easily. It’s not that she doesn’t like you Jacob; she just thinks that she doesn’t deserve you. And I think a part of her doesn’t want to hurt you like she hurt Keith. Because of that fear she runs.”

“It’s because of what your mother did isn’t it?” I replied bitterly.

“You know about that?” she asked surprised.

“Mhm” I nodded, “I found out about it,” I said bitterly.

“Well I hope you won’t do as Keith and pull away from her.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t be like him and walk away. Don’t give up on her.”

“I have no intention on doing that” I replied seriously, “I’m not gonna let her get away from me that easily” I added smiling finally understanding.

She smiled back and then stood up.

“So what are you going to do now?” she asked.

“I’m gonna make that girl understand that I’m not going anywhere. That no matter what happens it won’t change that I love her. Shell” I paused, “You don’t mind if we skip dinner with you do you? I mean, I’ve got an idea.”

“Don’t you worry about it” she grinned, “You go get Meg.”

“Thanks” I smiled again standing up and dashing back towards the elevators.

With renewed determination in my head and heart I set out to once again fulfill my dreams.

(Next Scene)

I heard the soft knocks on the door and knowing fully well who was on the other side, I stood up slowly and walked over to the door.

“Yes” I replied my voice solemn, “Who’s there?”

“Meg” I heard his voice from the other side, “Please open the door.”

“I can’t,” I said back.

“Meg, please. Don’t do this” he insisted, “Just open the door.”

“Okay” I nodded slowly with a sigh and then opened the door just as slowly as I had nodded my head.

He stared back at me as I averted my eyes once more to the ground.

“I. I’m so sorry” I lowered my head.

“You don’t have to be” he shook his head.

“Huh?”

“I think maybe I jumped the gun a little. You weren’t ready and it did come out of nowhere.”

“No” I protested a little fearing he would take back his words from earlier, “It’s not like that. It’s just.”

“Meg” he interrupted, “I meant what I said but I don’t want to put any pressure on you.”

“Jacob?”

“I don’t expect you to give me an answer right away. So, I think we should just continue with our fun time in Rome. And with that in mind I hope you’ll do me the honor of going out to dinner with me tonight?” he asked handsomely his hands behind his back.

“Just the two of us?” I asked surprised.

“Well, Shelly said she already has plans, so I thought we could go out to eat on our last night in Rome. What do you say? Will you be my date?” he smiled gently.

“Okay” I agreed still unsure of why he wasn’t fuming at me now, “I’d love to” I smiled finally.

“All right. You get ready and I’ll get ready. I have a place in mind already.”

“No problem” I nodded as I closed the door with a satisfied smile.

This was the perfect opportunity I told myself. I’m not gonna run anymore. Tonight, one way or the other I am going to tell him how I feel I thought determinedly. I’m not gonna back down now.

(Next Scene)

The Olive Tree was the sweetest little Italian restaurant I had ever seen and I could see why Jacob had picked it. I had decided to wear the red dress that Victoria had suggested to pack to me before I left. It was my most casual and yet dressed up outfit that I owned. I didn’t want to come on strong if he didn’t consider this night like a date. Fortunately for me he had dressed in a button down turquoise shirt and his dark navy blue jeans. As we sat down to dinner I watched his face through the candlelight and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest again.

“Are you okay?” he asked noticing my nervous expression.

“Oh. Uh huh” I nodded, “I was just looking around. This place is so beautiful.”

“I thought you might like it” he grinned, “Meg I’m sorry if I scared you this afternoon.”

“Actually you didn’t” I shook my head.

“Huh?”

“I think I scared myself.”

“I don’t understand” he shook his head.

“It’s difficult to explain now” I replied as the waiter came over.

“Okay then” he nodded, “Why don’t we have dinner? We’ll talk about this later.”

I nodded in agreement and then the two of us ordered our meal. Sometime later through dinner musicians came through. Several couples stood up from their tables and began to dance. I found myself watching them mesmerized by their movements that I barely saw as Jacob watched me.

“Meg” he replied turning to me.

“Hmm?” I faced him.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

“Huh? Now? Here?”

“Well, we never got the chance to finish our dance at the wedding. I always felt sort of disappointed by that.”

Him too I thought? I smiled back gently and then took his hand that was reaching out for mine.

“In that case, I would love to,” I said back.

He smiled and then led me away from my chair. The two of us began to dance slowly and for the first time that evening I was able to face him. I was able to look at his eyes directly as they stared back at me intently. Don’t let this moment end I wished with all my heart. Let it last forever.

(Next Scene)

Later that night Jacob and I walked back through the city of Rome. The stars were shining above us glowing brightly like tiny lights in the sky. I placed my hand in his and could feel the warmth and protection in it.

“Jacob” I pulled him back a little.

“Hmm?” he looked back at me his tousled hair falling onto his face perfectly.

“I had a good time tonight.”

“Me too” he nodded.

I paused and then moved in front of him trying to work out the words in my own head. Just tell him I told myself. Just tell him.

“What is it?” he asked clearly feeling that I was about to say something.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you something all night” I began staring into the sky, “Actually for a long time now. And right now seems the perfect time to say it.”

“Oh?”

“Jacob” I took a deep breath and then turned around to face him, “I wanted you to know that I love you.”

He stared at me for a moment as the breeze around us hit us lightly across our cheeks. Then he smiled with a nod, moving forward and wrapping his arms around me.

“I know” he replied gently.

I fell into his arms immediately. He held me tightly and I knew at that moment, it was the right moment. The perfect moment. But little did I know that our night under the stars was only just the beginning.

(To be continued….)

Authors Note: Okay guys I have thought about this. And the more I thought I figure this was the best chapter to end this book with since I plan on starting a sequel at the end of the month. I hope you enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now." See you all on July 26!