The Foolproof Plan

Chapter 19: HOW DOES THIS WORK?

I wanted to take her out to a nice restaurant, but I thought it would seem as if I was moving too fast. I wanted Bella to feel comfortable with me again. After our breakup at the guys' graduation party in May, it took us a long while to realize that we had both misinterpreted our words that night.

I did apologize to her for jumping to conclusions, and she also apologized to me for not speaking up when she had the chance. But even though we cleared that up, neither of us made any attempt to discuss where we stood, so eventually we just drifted apart.

But here was a chance for me to rectify that situation. If she loved me half as much as I loved her, we definitely needed to get back together.

I remembered Minda's advice about ordering champagne, but this place was more of a diner, so they did not offer bubbly. The waiter showed up at our table, and I was about to speak but noticed that he was looking in Bella's direction.

She looked up from the menu. "I'll have a lemonade."

The waiter nodded and turned to me. "I'll just have water."

The waiter nodded again and left.

We stayed quiet while we looked at the menu. I planned to order for the both of us--just as Minda had instructed--to assert my dominance in the relationship.

"I'd really like to try the Goat Cheese BLT," Bella said before I had a chance to speak. She put down the menu. "It sounds delicious. What about you?"

"I think I'll have the bacon cheeseburger." I glanced at her and saw her smile. All thoughts of assertiveness and dominance flew out of my head.

The waiter brought us our drinks, and we placed our orders. The thought of being assertive no longer rang in my mind. Seeing her smile became my new goal.

We had a very pleasant dinner. I asked how her classes were coming along, how she was preparing for her graduation. I asked her about her plans for graduate school and whether she'd be staying in town or moving away. I inquired about her family and how they felt about her plans. I hung on her every word. We talked about school and our friends for a bit more before her smile disappeared and she sighed.

"Are we ever going to address the elephant in the room?" she asked.

"What elephant?"

She pursed her lips. "You know. Minda?"

I took a drink of water before responding. "Minda and I are just friends."

"Really?" she asked. I wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or just genuinely surprised.

"Of course," I replied. "If there was actually something going on between us, would I be here with you? Would I be telling you how much I love you?"

She blinked rapidly. "You haven't told me that. I-I thought this was just a friendly dinner."

"It is whatever you want it to be, Bella," I said. "I'm willing to do whatever you want. You're in charge here." I paused, vaguely remembering that I was supposed to be the one taking charge. I dismissed that thought. "And I do love you. Very much. But you already know that."

"So Minda...?"

"Is nothing more than a friend, I swear," I broke in. "I hope you of all people believe me. I mean, how could I ever even look at another woman when my heart is completely in your hands? You have the power to bless me or crush me at your command."

"Jin," she began, "that's not true."

"Yes, it is," I countered. "Just by being here with me tonight, you have made me the happiest guy in town. Even if you never glance my way again, I will still love you. Regardless of what happens, I will love you and support you." I took a deep breath. "You mean everything to me."

"And you can't live without me, I suppose," she said.

"I'm sure I can," I replied. Her eyebrows went up in surprise. "But I don't want to. It won't be a happy life." Then I cleared my throat, feeling foolish that I'd revealed my vulnerability. "I mean, I'll manage. I just want what's best for you...whether that's with me or not." I was supposed to be assertive and...and--what else? I couldn't remember my so-called lessons while Bella was gazing at me with those gorgeous hazel eyes of hers.

"That means so much to me, Jin," she said after a while. "You're being so...understanding. I'm glad we had this chance to talk. I just knew that there was nothing going on with Minda." She paused for a beat. "And regardless of anything that's happened, I love you, too."

My heart practically jumped out of my chest.