Chapter 9

"When I was sixteen, I dated this guy named Brendan. We met at a dance, and half way through it he asked me out. being the naive girl I was, I accepted eagerly. We never went out on one date, and three weeks later, he dumped me via his friend. I had thought myself in love with him, so I cried for months. I promised myself then and there that I'd never trust another male ever again, let alone date one. That is why I felt so guarded around you for the longest time. But you're not like any guy I've ever met. You're sweet and kind and caring, basically all I ever wanted. Your blasted career can go hang, all I have come to love you for is yourself, not for anything else."
Nick's mouth dropped open. He didn't know whether to comfort her, or kiss her. He decided he'd confess his story and declare his own love for her.
"When i was 17, I met this beautiful girl through my doctor. I think you might have heard of her, Mandy Williford. We'd been going out for a year, in April. She was getting so jealous of the fans, a faceless mass of screaming pre-teens, and I couldn't stand her miserable attitude anymore. Our break up was so tough, and then I remembered all the good times we'd had and I got depressed. That's why I came here, that's why I looked like I did when you found me. I had walked for three days straight without eating, sleeping or drinking accross this province. Now, though, I've moved on, just like you have. I wanna kill that bastard who did that to you. I find that I'm so in love with you I can't think, let alone do anything else."
"You love me?"
He smiled brightly. "Yeah!" he said happily.
Jacinda hugged him, not knowing what to say. She was ecstatic, to put it mildly. Nick put his arms around her and thought happily about how different this girl was from that _____ (sorry for language) who had torn his heart in two a year ago. This was the one for him, the one that he could actually think of sharing his future with, but he wouln't tell her that yet.
"I think that song was right." Jacinda said, her voice muffled against his chest.
"What?" he asked, looking intently down at her beautiful face.
"For both of us. These were both our final heartbreaks, and we've shown each other what good love takes, never said goodbye and never made each other cry."
He thought for a minute, then smiled fondly at her. "Yeah, that's right." She looked up at him, her eyes shining. Her eyes were so much more beautiful without the pain and hurt there, he thought. Suddenly the urge to kiss Jaci, this amazing girl who'd stolen his heart came over him.
He bent his head and his mouth came down on hers. It was a gentle, tender kiss that was quickly leaving Jaci breathless. Her lips softened and parted as she returned his kiss. Meanwhile Nick was also experiencing a sense of amazement at the tenderness of this kiss. It was like they were sealing their vows of love for each other with this kiss. When he pulled away, Jaci looked up into his face and smiled, her gorgeous face alight with happiness. Nick's face was also glowing with his love for her, and he drew his arm around her.
"Well I guess we're off to a good start!" Jaci laughed happily as Nick gripped her tighter to him.
"I'd say so." he said and started stroking her hair.
All the rest of that day went by in blissful happiness for both of them. They had each found love with someone stable and caring, who wouldn't hurt the other. They had finally found in each other the life mate they had been searching for forever, it seemed.

Home?