Her palms were clammy with sweat as the automatic doors opened. She didn’t know what to expect inside these walls but one thing was certain, she was going to meet the man whose heart she felt already belonged to her. The questions ran through her head as she picked up her phone to read where exactly he was in the vast shopping mall.

Would he like her enough?

What if he felt she was prettier in pictures and not at all in person?

Would her heart take the devastation?

Was it too late to turn back?

Even as these thoughts kept whirling in Jayne’s mind, she didn’t slow her step or give in to her urges to run back outside. She didn’t need to think too much about how he was going to look. She’d already deemed him perfection long before now. James would be everything she’d dreamt of and more. That, she was most certain of.

Jayne took a deep breath as she stopped before the wide, sweeping stairs, coated in jade and gold. He’d chosen such an ostentatious place. She blushed at the thought that he was probably trying to impress her but dismissed it immediately. She would be impressed even if they were meeting at a local diner. And he knew that.

Suddenly realizing that she was wasting precious minutes that could have been spent with the one she loved, she hurried up the stairs and only slowed to a stop when she approached the second flight of stairs. Since the stairwell was framed in glass, she was almost positive that he’d already sighted her but she refused to turn, choosing to look forward so her emotions didn’t betray her.

Jayne was positive that the others milling beside her could hear her heartbeat. Could they hear the pounding rhythm of her heart? Could they see the anxiety in her eyes and the trepidation on her face? Could they possibly know how this singular moment was going to be the most important for her for years to come?

Slowly, she made a turn through the last flight of stairs and the curvy bend of the floor’s expanse. Finally, she took a deep breath and allowed herself to look up. Her breath caught in her throat and her restless thoughts stilled. There was a man seated at the far corner of the lounge. He had a smile on his face and when she stared into his eyes, it was like the world stopped. There was the love of her life, already standing and making his way towards her.

Jayne didn’t believe that she still had legs to move slowly towards him. She felt that they had all turned to jelly. But she couldn’t stop the overwhelming emotions as she barrelled into his arms like one who’d lost her mind. As he was several inches taller, he scooped her and almost twirled her around. If Jayne were to identify the singularly most life-changing moment in her entire existence, it would be this without a doubt.

She didn’t climb down from her high even as she finally extricated herself from his arms and let him pull the chair out for her to sit opposite him. Now that she was somewhat clear-headed from the blinding feelings, she allowed herself to really look at him. He was way more gorgeous in person. And he had the prettiest eyes, framed with lashes too long and beautiful to belong to a man. She was going to say something about how she felt but he beat her to it.

“So, this is the mysterious Jayne.” She didn’t know what to make of that but then he added. “You’re incredibly beautiful, my love.”

It was one of the times Jayne was eternally grateful to have caramel skin for she would have turned redder than the ripest tomato. Recovering her wits in time for him not to think she was some teenage dimwit, she replied. “You’re not bad yourself, James.”

He held a hand to his chest. “Ouch. Just not bad? I thought I’d get a more flattering adjective.”
She laughed heartily. It was nice that his humour wasn’t limited to their many phone calls. “I mean, you must already know you’re gorgeous but if you want me to toot your horn, I’m still down.” She couldn’t help the shy smile that enveloped her face as she said the last part. She face palmed mentally.

Seriously, Jayne. Who said things like that?!
As if sensing her thoughts, he reached out and held her hands. And it was then Jayne knew that the books hadn’t lied. Truly when it was the one, there were tremors or tingles or both, like she was feeling now. “What’s the matter?” She asked.

He gave her a shy smile. “I’m just so happy that it’s you I’m in love with.”

Even though it felt like her heart was going to explode out of her chest with those words, she couldn’t resist a smart comeback. “Why? Because you’ve found the person that would drown you with compliments night and day?”

He laughed long and hard. “Damn, I love you, Jayne.”

It was a blur of events from then. They went to the mall and he got her things large enough to fill a truck. After eating a bit, as they were too drunk on the sight of each other to pay much mind to food, they went to the movies. The two hours spent holding hands and exchanging light kisses were one she wouldn’t forget. When the actress thought to herself, “When would you proclaim your love to me?” James squeezed her hands as if on cue and in the dimly lit Cinema, confessed his undying love to her, asking to be officially his.

“Why James,” Jayne whispered to him. “I’d sooner dive face-first into blazing sand than not accepting you. I love you.” And if she thought he had the brightest smile, he dazzled her even more as his face lit up like the Fourth of July. Like water and fire finding harmony, it was perfection exemplified. For Jayne, and her lover.

Jhymi🖤

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_{My extended entry to @marrianewest's daily prompt.}

_{Thumbnail image created with NightCafe AI.}