Act Like You Love Me (Jessica) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Jessica’s POV

We pulled up to the entrance of a swanky high-class restaurant. The facade glowed under soft golden lights, and as we stepped inside, the air hunned with low conversations and the gentle strains of jazz floating from hidden speakers.

The place smelled of expensive perfumes and colognes mingling with hints of gourmet herbs and aged wine, creating an atmosphere that screamed luxury.

The lighting was dim, intimate, casting everything in a warm, shadowy haze. It made me wonder if Aaron was secretly a vampire or something; his obsession with dark aesthetics was beyond me-cozy but mysterious, like he thrived in the twilight.

He guided me in with a hand on the small of my back, that simple touch sending sparks up my spine.

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A maître d’ led us to a secluded, banquette seat, and Aaron pulled the chair out for me. I sank into it, grinning like a Cheshire cat, my cheeks aching from the sheer joy of it all.

As we settled, he scanned the menu briefly before signaling the waiter and ordering appetizers: crispy calamari with a lemon aioli dip and some artisanal bread with herb-infused butter.

The waiter nodded and vanished, leaving us in our little bubble. Finally, I couldn’t hold back the question that had been gnawing at me since we’d arrived.

“Aaron, why’d you bring me here? This…” I gestured around, taking in the crystal chandeliers and linen tablecloths, feeling a wave of intimidation crash over me. “It’s quite expensive.”

He chuckled and shook his head, leaning slightly across the table.

“Are you paying for it, Jess?”

I puckered my lips, my eyes narrowed.’

“That’s the point. You’ve done too much for me already, and I don’t know how to pay you back. You just keep adding to the

He reached across the table, and placed his hand over mine. His palm warm and solid, immediately silencing me.

“You owe me nothing, Jess. Zero debt.” His voice was low and firm. “I brought you out of my good will. I didn’t bring you to add to your supposed ‘debts.””

I stared at him in awe, my mind reeling. Who was this man in front of me? The Aaron I’d known for years-the bully turned protector-had layers I was only now peeling back, and this version, thoughtful and generous, left me breathless.

He exuded maturity and tenderness I hadn’t expected.

After a moment’s pause, I found my voice, though it came out soft, almost drowned by the jazz.

“Why, Aaron? Why are you doing this?”

His chocolate-brown eyes held mine for a long beat, deep and unwavering, before he answered.

“You deserve it, Jessica. And it’s you I wanted to celebrate this milestone with-no one but you.”

His confession was quiet, simple, and utterly shattering. My chest felt tight, as if my heart had swelled too big for my ribcage.

13:12 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 35

A feeling of unfamiliar, warm validation washed over me, a sensation so foreign after years of emotional neglect that it almost brought fresh tears to my eyes.

I felt seen, truly seen, in a way that made my heart swell and my insecurities quiet for once. It was like he’d handed me a piece of the sun.

A flush crept up my neck, and I had to look away, blinking back the prick of happy tears, my stormach flipping with a mix of gratitude and that deepening pull toward him.

This was the first time someone hadn’t just tolerated me but had declared I was specifically deserved.

The waiter brought our food shortly after. We ate in a comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging glances, but I still hadn’t fully processed the weight of what he said.

By the time dessert rolled around-a decadent, steaming chocolate lava cake for him and a tart, cooling raspberry sorbet for me-the initial tension had melted away into comfortable silence and easy conversation.

“So, what’s after coaching at Arcadia?” I asked, spooning a bit of sorbet, the tartness sharp and refreshing on my tongue.

He leaned back, swirling his wine thoughtfully.

“I’m done with the coaching whistle. I’m focusing on the next phase, the one I’ve been prepping for since I got here. I’m trying to make the jump to the pros. My goal is to become an NBA player, Jess. I have a few workout invites, and the next few months are going to be all about maximizing my training to make a roster.”

I put my spoon down, genuinely excited for him, the sorbet forgotten. His dream was close to becoming a reality.

“That sounds perfect. You’ve got the touch… and those kids today? They idolize you.”

He smirked, but there was a humble edge to it.

“Yeah, well… milestones, and experiences right? I’m glad they learned a thing or two from me. Onto the next.”

The date wound down naturally, the jazz fading into the background as we finished up.

Aaron paid the bill, and we left. The night air, warm and refreshing after the icy chill of the restaurant, enveloped us.

Just outside the entrance, as we turned to walk toward his car, we bumped directly into someone stepping suddenly out of

the shadows.

My clutch and the stranger’s purse landed on the pavement with a loud, simultaneous thud.

“Sorry,” we both mumbled at the same time, quickly bending down to retrieve the scattered items.

I straightened up first, handing over her small purse that had skittered my way, while she handed me my own. As our fingers brushed, our eyes met. She was a woman in her mid-forties or early fifties.

The woman’s smile faltered as her eyes met mine and she stared at me awkwardly. There was a moment of silence and confusion that felt far too heavy for a simple accident.

“You? I know you,” she said, her voice slow, searching.

I smiled, feeling confused and a little embarrassed. “I think you’re mistaken, ma’am,” I said softly.

The lady just kept staring, her eyes raking over my face with unsettling recognition. Aaron, sensing the strange tension, immediately jumped into the situation.

“Come on, Jess,” he said gently, placing a guiding hand on the small of my back to whirl me away.

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Chapter 35

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As we got to the car, I glanced over my shoulder and saw the woman still standing there, staring intently with an unreadable expression. I offered a small, awkward smile and slid into the passenger seat.

“Do you know her?” Aaron asked as soon as he settled into the driver’s seat.

I shook my head, my eyes still trained on the woman’s blurred figure in the rearview mirror.

“I have no idea who she is. I’ve never seen her before.”

I searched my brain for any clue-a former coworker, a diner customer, an old acquaintance from the dark days-but there was literally no connection I could find.

“Jess, turn around.” Aaron’s voice, commanding but soft, snapped me back to reality.

I looked at him with a confused expression but did as I was told. I twisted my body to face the windshield.

Soon, I felt a cold, delicate sensation settle around my neck.

I opened my eyes and gasped, seeing the most beautiful necklace dangling just below my throat: a tiny, silver flower pendant, with a sun carved intricately above the petal, all studded with beautiful diamond stones.

“Wow!” I muttered, reaching up to touch the cold metal. I turned to face him, my eyes wide. “Aaron—”

He smiled at me, his eyes tender. He reached out and gently cupped my cheek, his thumb tracing the corner of my eye.

“That is for you, Jessica.” He paused, his expression serious.

“The flower is a tulip-soft, beautiful, and utterly unexpected. And the sun above it… that’s what you are to me, Jess: my light source. You radiate warmth into everything, even when I’m trying my hardest to keep the world dark. You’re simply beautiful, enduring, and you light up everything around you without even trying.”

The poetic confession cracked my carefully guarded emotions.

Emotions surged: gratitude, disbelief, a profound warmth that was too pure to contain.

I sobbed then, and leaned across the console to wrap my arms around him in a fierce, desperate hug.

“Aaron, I don’t know what to say,” I choked out, burying my face in his shoulder.

He held me, his arms wrapped around my back while he kissed the top of my head and murmured soft assurances.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured.

I pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, and in that charged moment, our lips found each other.

The kiss started soft, tender, his mouth warm and inviting against mine. But it deepened quickly.

His hand slid back to the nape of my neck, tilting my head to deepen the angle, and the subtle, sensual rhythm of the kiss continued until every muscle in my body was warm and pliant..

My fingers threaded through his hair, tugging gently, eliciting a low groan from him that sent shivers down my spine.

His other hand traced my side, pulling me as near as the seatbelt allowed, our breaths mingling in heated whispers.

It was subtle, intimate-no rush, just exploring each other in the confined space of the car, the world outside forgotten as his lips trailed to my jaw, nipping lightly before returning to claim my mouth again.

He broke the kiss, his eyes gleaming in the dashboard light, his familiar, cocky grin returning.

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Chapter 35

E TO SOMON

“Ready to go, flower?” he whispered, his thumb still tracing the pendant on my chest. “Onto our next destination.”

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13:12 Mon, Jan 12