Page 90 of Tongue-Tied

“Now who’s tongue-tied?” I tease, though I feel nauseous. But he looks even greener than me, so I need to add a disclaimer as soon as possible. “I know you’re not into dating, so I’ll just have to get over this—or learn to live with it. It might take me some time, but I don’t want to lose our friendship. It was killing me, though, not to be honest with you. That my feelings have changed and grown. That every date meant so much to me because they were with you.”

Dex stands, then helps me up, which I’m glad for because my knees are killing me. His voice is thick when he replies, “Every date meant so much to me too.”

“Really?” Had I heard him right? I mean, I know he enjoyed himself because of our friendship and all, but the emotion in his expression is surprising.

“Really. That’s why—” Dex holds up a finger. “Hang on a minute.”

My pulse feels unsteady as I watch him reach for his bag. When I quickly peek over my shoulder to check on Chelsea, she’s smiling.

But not at me. At Dex.

When I glance at him, my mouth drops open. He’s holding a bouquet of different colored poppies in one hand and a special edition copy of Alice in Wonderland in another. “Holy shit, when did you?—”

“When I realized I’m in love with you too.”

I cover my mouth with my palm as he hands me the bouquet. My eyes are burning as I blink back tears. “You love me? Is this really happening?”

“I think so,” he replies, looking just as shell-shocked. “Though I admit it feels like a dream.”

I reach out to touch his arm. “Thank you for the book and the flowers and…”

“A giant pack of Twizzlers is also in my bag because go big or go home,” he says unsteadily, and I huff out a laugh.

“Wow…all the things I love.” I marvel at his thoughtfulness and effort. “Damn, that’s so perfect.”

He blinks. “You think so?”

“Uh-huh. Especially the…embracing your feelings part. And admitting them aloud.”

“It’s sort of terrifying,” he says, and then my chest is trembling with laughter.

Before we know what’s happening, we’re both cracking up, and Dex is swiping at his eyes as he draws away. What a pair. We’ve got to look half out of our minds—with either relief or plain happiness. Probably a little of both.

By the time the laughing stops, neither of us seems to know what to do, so we just stand there awkwardly, staring at each other as if our whole worldview has shifted. I suppose it has.

But questions remain. I don’t know what any of this means since Dex has been so anti-dating and relationships.

Just as I open my mouth to ask for clarification, Dex cuts me off. “So, hey, do you like my shirt?”

I scrunch my nose as I stare at his tee, one I’ve seen dozens of times. “Um…sure?”

“Do you know what it’s made of?”

I stare at Dex like he has two heads. “Bro, are you okay? Did you hit your head or something?”

He rolls his eyes. “Humor me.”

“Okay, sure. It’s made of cotton or maybe a cotton-poly blend.”

“Nope.” He grips the hem. “It’s made of total boyfriend material.” His smile is so wide that mine can’t even compare.

“Oh my God, does this mean…?”

“That I want to date you and be your boyfriend?” Dex asks, and I nod numbly. “Obviously, you dork.”

“Hey! You’re just lucky I want to date you and be your boyfriend too.”

“Thank God.” His face falls. “I was…nervous.”

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