My Dad's Bestfriend (Evelyn and Jacob) novel Chapter 204

Evelyn

Jacob's body froze at my question, his green eyes flickering with a strange realization. Slowly, his grip on me loosened, and he stepped away, leaving my skin cold and my heart sinking. The warmth that had just wrapped around me like a safety net faded, replaced by the icy tendrils of doubt.

I couldn't read his expression. It was unreadable, distant, and yet somehow heavy, as though my words had triggered something deep within him.

Had I crossed a line?

Did I say it too soon?

We had only just recovered from everything—every wound, every misunderstanding, every piece of shattered trust. Maybe he thought it was too soon for something this monumental.

I opened my mouth to say something, but the words caught in my throat as he turned abruptly and walked into the room, leaving me standing there in silence.

I followed, confusion and regret tangling in my chest.

This was a mistake.

But as I entered the room, I stopped. Jacob stood with his back to me, his broad frame illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the window. It painted him in soft hues of silver, making his skin almost glow, his shoulders rising and falling with each slow breath he took.

"Jacob, I'm—" I started, but my apology was cut short when he turned to face me.

This time, his expression was unmistakable. The corner of his lips quirked upward in a faint, almost mischievous smile. The warmth in that look melted the cold inside me, thawing the chill that had settled into my bones and making my heart stutter in response. It was a smile that made everything inside me surge—hope, desire, longing.

He took a step closer, and I noticed for the first time that something was in his hand. But my attention was locked on his face, on the way his emerald eyes held mine as if he could see straight into my soul.

My breath caught in my throat as his hand reached out, something in it that I couldn't yet make sense of. I was consumed by him—his presence, his touch, the way he moved toward me like gravity pulling us together. I didn't know why my heart raced so violently, why every inch of my skin tingled with anticipation. But I felt it all—electricity, tension, warmth.

When he stood before me, his green eyes locking with mine, the world felt like it had tilted on its axis.

"You shouldn't have ruined my surprise, Evelyn," Jacob whispered. His thumb brushed gently over my cheek, sending a shiver through me. He stepped closer, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. The air seemed to thicken with every second, the tension so palpable I could almost taste it. "I had this whole thing planned, baby. Bookings, speeches, everything. Bianca and I worked together on this for you—just so I could make it perfect. And even though every part of me was dying to bring the moment forward, change the course of time, to hold you and tell you sooner... I held back. I held back for you."

His voice shook, his hands trembling slightly, betraying the raw emotion behind every word. "But you had to ask, didn't you?" he breathed, his voice breaking just slightly. "With that sweet mouth of yours... I couldn't hold back anymore."

I felt his fingers curl around mine, the warmth of his touch searing through me, and my gaze shifted down to where our hands were intertwined. That's when I saw it—a velvet box nestled in his palm.

My breath caught, and my heart faltered. My eyes flickered between him and the box, confusion and disbelief flickering across my face.

"Are you...?" I whispered, the question barely leaving my lips before my heart began to race in anticipation.

And then, with a soft smile, he sank to the floor, both knees pressing into the ground. My chest tightened at the sight of him kneeling, and a tear threatened to spill from the corner of my eye as he looked up at me with a gaze that told me—he'd tear down this whole world for me if needed.

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