Chapter Thirty-Nine

(Uptown 777 Grant Wood Road, Time: 7:00 Pm)

"I see, looks like ive been forgotten

" Selina teased from behind the two.

Jayden chuckled and pulled back slightly, his arms still wrapped around Lola. "Never, Kitty," he said, giving Selina a playful wink. "You know you're always on my mind."

Selina rolled her eyes. "Oh, so now I'm Kitty, am I?" she quipped. "I thought I was just the forgotten friend for a moment there."

Jayden released Lola and moved to hug Selina tightly. "Never forgotten," he assured her, planting a kiss on her cheek. "You two are the highlights of my life."

With their warm reunion complete, Jayden locked up the barbershop for the day.

They made their way upstairs to his cosy living room, where they settled on the comfortable couches. Jayden fetched some snacks and drinks, eager to hear all about Lola's experiences in Los Angeles.

As they sat there, surrounded by the familiar comfort of their friendship, Lola launched into her tales of mixology adventures.

She described the vibrant cocktail scene, the passionate bartenders she had shadowed, and the innovative techniques she had learned.

Jayden listened intently, his eyes shining with curiosity. The living room filled with laughter and animated gestures as Lola painted vivid pictures of her time in the City of Angels.

"Can you believe it?" Lola exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. "The creativity and skill of those bartenders were incredible. I've never seen such dedication to their craft."

Jayden nodded, a sense of inspiration shining in his eyes. "It sounds like you've had an incredible time, Lola," he said, happy that she was living out her dreams.

Lola smiled, grateful for Jayden's support. "Thank you, Jayden. But enough about me. I want to hear what you've been up to while I was away. How's the barbershop been? Any interesting stories?"

Jayden chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Oh, you have no idea," he replied, launching into tales of his own.

He shared the stories of eccentric customers and other interesting people he had met.

After setting in, Selina started playing with Raven. Meanwhile Lola looked at Jayden thoughtfully before asking him to talk upstairs in private for a moment.

.....

Lola led Jayden up a flight of stairs that led to the rooftop of the building. The night sky stretched out above them.

The soft glow of city lights illuminated their surroundings, creating an intimate atmosphere.

They found a cosy spot on a rooftop bench, overlooking the cityscape. The cool breeze played with Lola's hair as she gathered her thoughts. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding with nervous anticipation.

"Jayden," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Jayden turned to her, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of concern. "What is it, Lola?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Lola hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. She took a deep breath and continued, her voice filled with sincerity. "During my time in Los Angeles, I had some revelations," she confessed. "And one of them was about us."

Jayden's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze fixed on Lola. He sensed the gravity of her words and gave her his undivided attention.

Lola's voice trembled with nervousness as she revealed her true feelings. "At the beginning, I thought it would be great if you and Selina got together," she admitted. "I didn't think I was ready for a relationship, and I wanted to see you happy."

Jayden's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing to comprehend her confession. The memory of their playful banter and moments shared with Selina flashed through his mind.

"But," Lola continued, her voice growing stronger, "after the Comic-Con incident, where I could have lost my life, I realized that life is too short for regrets. I don't want to hold back anymore. And the truth is... I think I really like you, Jayden."

The air around them seemed to still as Lola's words hung in the air.

Jayden's heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts racing to catch up with the unexpected turn of events.

Emotions swirled within him, a mix of surprise, confusion, and a glimmer of hope.

Before Jayden could find the right words to respond, Lola reached out and gently placed her hand on his, her touch warm and reassuring.

"I wanted to tell you how I feel, Jayden," she said softly. "But I also want you to take your time, to process everything. I don't expect an immediate answer."

As the weight of Lola's confession settled between Jayden and Lola on the rooftop, a soft breeze rustled through the air, creating a moment of stillness.

They were both lost in their thoughts, contemplating the path ahead, when a familiar voice cut through the silence.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Selina's voice floated up to the rooftop, accompanied by the sound of her footsteps.

Startled, Jayden and Lola turned to see Selina making her way towards them, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Am I interrupting something?" she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Jayden chuckled nervously, his heart still racing from Lola's confession. "Selina, it's not what you think," he stammered, struggling to find the right words.

Selina raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Oh, I know exactly what's going on," she replied, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "And believe me, I've had my fair share of revelations too."

She took a seat beside them on the rooftop bench, her gaze shifting between Jayden and Lola.

"Lola, I want you to know that I appreciate what you were trying to do," Selina began, her voice filled with sincerity. "At first, I thought it would be a great distraction, a way to move on from my past...lover. But over time, something changed. I started caring for Jayden deeply, and my feelings grew stronger."

Jayden's eyes widened in surprise, his heart caught between two confessions.

He looked at Selina, searching for answers, unsure of what to say.

Selina reached out and gently took his hand, her touch reassuring. "Jayden, I love you both very much," she confessed, her voice filled with vulnerability. "And now, standing here, I realize that I want to be in a relationship with you. But I understand that this is a lot to take in, and I want you to have the space and time to figure out what you want."

Jayden's mind whirled, emotions crashing against each other in a tumultuous storm. He cared deeply for both Lola and Selina, and the thought of hurting either of them tore at his heart.

"I... I don't know what to say," Jayden finally managed to utter, his voice filled with uncertainty. "This is... unexpected."

Lola and Selina exchanged glances, their eyes filled with understanding and a shared sense of vulnerability. They knew that Jayden needed time to process his feelings and make a decision that felt right for him.

Selina squeezed Jayden's hand gently, her eyes soft with affection. "Take all the time you need," she said softly. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Jayden's mind raced as he absorbed the weight of both Lola and Selina's confessions.

He realized that he cared deeply for both of them, and the thought of choosing one over the other filled him with unease. He wanted to honour their feelings and ensure that no one would be hurt in the process.

Taking a deep breath, Jayden looked into the eyes of Lola and Selina, determination burning within him. "I understand that this is a complex situation, and I don't want to rush into any decisions," he began, his voice steady. "I value both of you deeply, and I want to find a way for all of us to be happy."

Lola and Selina exchanged cautious glances, uncertainty evident in their expressions. They had hoped for a clear resolution, but Jayden's thoughtful approach gave them a glimmer of hope.

Jayden paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "What if... what if we give ourselves a chance to explore our feelings together?" he proposed, his voice filled with genuine consideration.

"I suggest we embark on a three-way relationship, where we all have the opportunity to be with one another.

But let's set a time frame—three months.

By the end of those three months, I hope to have a clearer understanding of my heart and the decision I need to make."

Lola and Selina took a moment to absorb Jayden's proposition.

Scepticism mingled with hope as they weighed the potential outcomes. They knew this was a unique opportunity—a chance to explore their connection without the fear of one person being left behind.

Finally, Lola spoke up, her voice filled with cautious optimism. "It's not what I had expected, but I can see the reasoning behind it," she admitted. "I want both of us to have a fair chance, and this allows for that. But Jayden, please remember that our hearts are at stake. Let's be honest and communicate openly throughout this okay."

Selina nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with a mixture of apprehension and hope. "I appreciate your willingness to consider all of our feelings," she said softly.

"But I must admit, I have my reservations. However, I want to trust in the connection we share and believe that this could lead us to a path where all of our happiness can coexist."

Jayden's words hung in the air, his proposition of a three-way relationship leaving Lola and Selina with a mix of emotions.

They knew that Jayden had been placed in a difficult position, caught between their confessions, and they didn't want to add to his burden.

Jayden reached out, taking each of their hands in his." I promise to be honest, open, and attentive to both of you." he vowed.

"And if at any point in the three-month period you want to retract your confession, you'll hear no complaint from me."

Both Selina and Lola looked at each other.

They had known each other since they were kids and could easily communicate with eye contact alone.

Selina took a deep breath, her gaze steady as she looked into Jayden's eyes. "We agree with your proposal." Selina said following Lola's nod of approval.

Jayden felt a surge of gratitude and relief at their agreement. They had given him a lifeline—a chance to truly understand what his heart wanted.

Jayden brought the two into a tight embrace, Jubilant that they had come to at least a middle ground.

With a mix of anticipation and tenderness, Jayden turned his attention to Lola.

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that conveyed both the depth of his affection and the yearning for a future together.

Their connection was passionate yet gentle, a blend of familiarity and newfound possibilities.

As the kiss lingered, Jayden gradually turned his head to Selina, their eyes meeting with an intensity that mirrored the unspoken desires between them.

With a hesitant but determined resolve, he closed the remaining distance and kissed Selina, their lips melding in a shared moment of vulnerability and exploration.

Finally, Jayden brought both Lola and Selina into a tight embrace, their bodies intertwined as a symbol of unity and the beginning of Something extraordinary.

' I just hope, that by the end of this I will have come to a decision.'