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She hands me the pole, and I attempt to insert it into another pole that’s supposed to hold up the tent. When it doesn’t fit, I scream bloody murder and chuck the pole like a javelin straight into the woods.
“I have a whole bunch of feelings from last night.” “Start with the first one you felt.” This is what I’m talking about. He’s a good guy. Instead of getting defensive and wanting to be the one who is right all the time—something Matt would do—he intently listens, asks me to speak my feelings. It’s so…healthy.
“Yeah, that was really shitty of me, Scottie. I’m sorry. You deserve better than to be questioned like that. I fucked up and should not have said that.” Wow. Just…wow. I don’t think I’ve ever in my entire life had someone apologize to me like that, taking full ownership and not even coming up with an excuse. Just a straight-up apology. It nearly throws me off.
The way he uses his words makes me feel important, validated.
His attitude toward the whole camp, so positive compared to what I was living with for so long. Matt was always negative, always complaining about something. It…it took a toll on me. So being around Wilder feels like a breath of fresh air.
“You’re beautiful,” he says. “Stunning actually. I get lost in your eyes when I shouldn’t because they’re so unique and I want to know more about the brown ring around your pupil and why it fades into this ocean blue that I can’t quite figure out.
When you speak, there is hurt in your voice, like someone took a piece of your soul and hasn’t returned it, yet it makes you who you are—makes you that much more interesting. There have been times when I’ve wanted to touch your hair, push it behind your ear, just feel it because it’s so silky. You’re unlike any woman I’ve ever met before—complex yet simple. Insecure but also very confident.
I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t attracted to you. And I’m not saying this to hit on you. I’m not saying this to try to get you to tear your shirt off. I’m saying this because you deserve to hear it. You deserve the truth. You are beautiful, Scottie.”
“You’re not normally my type.” “Wow.” He laughs. It’s hearty and from the gut. “Jesus, please, stop. Don’t say more. I don’t think my ego will be able to fit in this tent if you keep up with the compliments.”
“Oh, by all means, please continue to regale me with your compliments. I think you were saying how I’m normally not your type. Continue.” I roll my eyes. “What I was trying to say is that I wouldn’t normally go for a guy like you—” “Uh-huh, you said it differently, but it still feels the same.”
“Are you sure it’s just my chin?” Dear God. No, it’s not. It’s the whole package. It’s how kind you are to me. How you make me feel special. The way you look at me with those eyes, like I matter. Like I’m of importance. It’s the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you have no problem sticking up for me. It’s everything.
At first glance, I wouldn’t have thought he was my type. And even now, given how good he is, I still wouldn’t have thought he was my type. But I’m starting to learn what I deserve in a man, and Wilder somehow ticks all those boxes.
It was visceral. I felt that kiss all the way to my freaking loins, Denise. My loins!” “Dear God,” she whispers. “Not the loins.” “The loins!” I shout, and then realize the receptionist is looking at me. I turn away from her and lower my voice.
she kissed with confidence. I was almost waiting for her to be shy about it, but she wasn’t. She was so goddamn confident. I want…I want another taste. I’m desperate for it.”
So that’s what I’ll do…ensure she’s sated beyond her wildest dreams but also instilled with all the confidence she deserves.
“Or we can walk it back, because that is the devil’s form of transportation, and I’d rather not take part in his form of torture again.”
“If there’s one thing I don’t want you to ever experience again, it’s that feeling of insignificance. I’m in awe of you, and I know with certainty that I want to be a better man…for you. You deserve to be worshipped, so I’m going to prove that I can be the man who can do that.”
“Yeah, of course I am.” He looks up at me. “This bracelet says you’re mine. Why would I take it off?”
I kiss her like no other kiss cam has ever seen. The crowd erupts in cheers. I pump my fist to the sky while I continue to kiss her—even with a little tongue—and the stadium laughs. When I pull away, I smirk at her and then lean back in my chair.
“Did you…did you plan this entire thing?” “Of course.” As I’m slowly learning, I will do anything that brings you true joy. “We have to make sure we’re checking things off that list, Pips. Because once we do, it means we can add more. Together.”
No man is perfect, so I know I won’t ever care for her perfectly. But that man made vows to Scottie. He declared that he’d do everything in his ability to love her well, and he didn’t take those vows seriously. It just pisses me off, as not only did she learn to devalue her needs, but her self-confidence suffered terribly.
“You don’t become the best by going to school and studying. You become the best by life experience.” He taps the side of his head. “Think on that.” “Hold on, so you’ve been offering marriage counseling to couples without ever being certified.” “You know, Wilder, lawyers always tell you to read the fine print for a reason.”
