Page 55 of Icebound Attraction

“I want to be with Emily, while pursuing my goals.”

Chase smiles gently.

“Well, you see, you're making progress! It might not be easy, but if you're prepared to invest time and effort in both areas, you might find a way to reconcile them. Emily's also helping you with your lessons, so she's not going to be the one to upset you in that respect - in fact, since you've been seeing her, you've improved a lot!”

“But how can I be sure that I won’t regret my choices later?”

Chase raises an eyebrow and laughs.

“Dude, if you find the answer, tell me! That's what makes a choice difficult most of the time. But, sometimes, you have to take risks. Above all, you should talk to Emily about your feelings, your fears, your goals. Maybe together you can find a way that works for both of you.”

“If she wants me! She keeps throwing the word ‘friendship’ in my face...”

“You're not helping her with your attitude.”

“You’re right...”

Chase smiles and punches me in the shoulder.

“It's going to be great!”

As we continue chatting, my thoughts gradually clear up. I still don't know exactly what I should do, but at least I feel better equipped to face the challenges ahead.

One thing's for sure: I have to talk to Emily.

***

I bite my lower lip nervously. In a few minutes, Emily will be at my door.

The sun is already approaching the horizon and I'm desperately trying to stay calm. When she knocks, my heart almost leaps out of my chest - she's here.

We say hello, and she passes me by, leaving in her wake the perfume I love so much. Fruit, spring, sunshine. I invite her to sit down, and it feels like a repeat of last time.

Tension immediately builds between us. I look at her briefly before sitting down next to her. Taking a deep breath, I gather all my strength and begin to speak.

“I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I've had a few bad days at training and I've been feeling a bit under the weather. I realized I had to make a decision.”

Emily watches me with curiosity and apprehension. She lets me continue.

“Emily, you really mean a lot to me. The time we spend together, our studying, our exchanges, our...”

I refrain from saying ‘kisses’.

“I realize that you're taking up more and more space in my mind,” I continue, my voice hoarser than I'd like it to be. “I know we said we'd be ‘friends’, but I just can't do it. You're... You're always in the back of my mind.”

I drop it like a bomb. I don't think I really put it into words, but it had to come out.

Her eyes open in surprise and her mouth rounds.

“I wanted to tell you, because I had to be honest and let you know why I run away most of the time. Not because I'm making fun of you, no. It’s the opposite actually. Because you mean so much to me, despite the limits you've set.”

A moment's silence follows my words, and I see her eyes light up. I'm suddenly filled with hope. That everything I'm feeling is mutual.

Am I to deduce that her famous limits were a bluff?

She swallows before answering.

“That's... quite a statement!”

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