Undoubtedly Yours

Chapter 9

Hope

When Kira asked me about knowing Dani and Dean from before, I panicked but thanks to Dani, the crisis was averted for now. I know I have to come out and talk some time, but I was hoping it would not be today. Being alone with Dean made me so f*****g nervous, I thought I was going to faint. I was so anxious about him asking me questions, that I told him that I needed time before he could say anything. I was not expecting him to be so calm about it and to be honest this calm was kind of more nerve wrecking than his anger. I will not tell him that though.

"Thank you, I know I don't deserve this kindness from you, but I want you to know I will not take it for granted." I tell him stepping back from his embrace and hoping he recognizes the sincerity in my words. He just nods as he smiles at me and tucking my hair behind my ear and just looks in my eyes. A honking car breaks our trance and he steps back and says, "Okay, I think I am in need of some ice cream after all this. What do you say, Williams?"

I smile and nod and we start walking towards the mall hand in hand. For some reason his hand in mine does not feel awkward at all and I am almost afraid to let it go. When we reach tha ice cream shop we each take a vanilla cone because we are simple that way. Dean smiles at me and says, "I can't believe this. You still like vanilla too?" Nodding at him I say, "Well, yeah. I don't think that will ever change. It is the best" He smiles and we start walking towards the parking while eating our ice cream finding comfort in silence. We are still holding hands, none of us wanting to let go.

He asks me where I am parked and we start walking towards my car. As we reach my car I turn to him and can't help but smile at the way he is comforting me without saying a single word. "Thank you Dean. This has been nice. It's been a while since I've felt like this." Turning towards me he smirks and asks me, "Felt like what exactly?" Looking down I say, "Happy. Calm. Like I could breathe again. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we will be able to be like this again."

"You know I pretty suprised or should I say shocked myself when I decided that I will give you time. Don't get me wrong, I was determined to make your life a living hell for what you put me through to be honest but when we were at that restaurant and I held you close after so long my brain just sort of short circuited. I wanted to give myself time to just take it all in so I suggested to have dinner and talk that night. I went home and beat myself up about it for hours, eventually I came to the conclusion that if I stay mad at you or try to make your life hell it is not going to bode well for me. I realized that we cannot get the time we spent apart back but I am not ready to waste any more time being petty.", he says looking into my eyes.

I am speechless. I have absolutely no response to what he said. I know he is hurt deep down but he has pushed it down because he is tired of being mad and does not want to waste any time. Do I even deserve someone like him? How can one person be so mad and so forgiving at the same time. I stand there staring into his eyes when his phone starts ringing forcing us to break eye contact. He takes out his phone silencing it then looks at me. I look at him and say, "You are amazing Dean. I don't know what I did to deserve this but thank you. I don't want to waste time either. I promise I will come talk to you soon. And when I do, you can decide if I still deserve to be in your life."

Dean steps more into my space and wraps his arm around me and says, "You are never going to not deserve me princess. This is just a bump that we have to work on. If we are together we can pretty much do anything. We are the dream team remember." He keeps his phone back and wraps his other arm around me as well and slowly leans in towards my lips. I stop breathing for a second not sure if he is going to kiss me or say something in my ear like last time. My eyes automatically close as I wait for his next move. He doesn't keep me waiting long and I feel him kissing my forehead making me smile.

I open my eyes and look up into his eyes. What I see makes my breathe hitch and I cannot help but lean in and kiss his cheek in return. When I pull back his smile has grown and his eyes are shining. In that moment all I can do is pray to god that the smile stays after I tell him everything that happened. "What was that for?". Dean asks. "Just something for you being you.", I tell him. He gives me quick hug and steps back and tells me to get in. "You can go ahead. I am okay to go.", I tell him. Not paying any attention he says,"Just get in Williams. You know you cannot win this."

Rolling my eyes I get in my car and lower my window to tell him to go. Leaning down on my window with his arms resting on them he says, "Why do you do this everytime, huh? You know I won't walk away until you exit the parking lot. That hasn't changed Williams and it never will. Now drive off before I change my mind and drag you to my car and take you home on our first ice cream date." My mouth opens in shock and I feel a blush coming, but not one to give up I say, "Fine grandpa. I will go first. Take care Dean. I will see you Monday." He quirks an eyebrow up when I call him grandpa but doesn't say anything about it and simply says, "I can't wait to have you around every day. See you Monday Williams. Drive safe and text me when you get home."

"In your dreams Hoffman. Byeee.", I drive away without waiting for his reply. Five seconds later I get a text that I better text him when I get home. Thinking about the day we had brings a smile to my face and I try to forget that there is a mountain of issues that needs to be addressed before this goes any further. I mean, I don't know where it is going to go but I know staying just friends or colleagues is going to be tough after today. I also know I have to tread carefully and tell him everything before we get anywhere from here and the more I delay the more hurt he can be when he finds out. In that moment I decide that sometime next week I will call him to my place and tell him everything and bear whatever happens.

I reach my place and park my car. As I am walking to my apartment I get a call from Katie. "Hey Hope! Just calling to remind you about the party tomorrow. Remember you promised you will be there and I for one cannot wait. It is a Saturday so you can rest up on Sunday to get ready for the big day on Monday. If you need any help getting to the place please call me and we can probably carpool there." I have no idea how she is able to say so much in one breath Chuckling I answer, "Jesus, take a breath girl. I will be there and I was planing to Uber to the place since I was planning on drinking so I am okay for the ride too. I promise I am not going to bail." She says, "Okay, great. I was just reminding you and I will see you there. I have to make more call okay Have a great night." Shaking my head at her always high spirit I say, "Good night Katie."

As soon as I disconnect, I get a text from Dean, If you are home and haven't texted me there will be serious consequences. On second thoughts, I wish you won't text me because then I will get to punish you.

Oh my god! I just reached home. Just walked in. Would you like the play by play now? I text back.

Play by play from you sounds exotic. When can we start? he replies with a wink emoji.

Good night Dean! I text back.

HAHAHA! Gotcha! Good night beautiful! Sweet dreams! he texts back

I can't help but blush and think I need to get this talk out of the way soon.