Page 68 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

I wonder if this is how Cinderella felt when the prince put the glass slipper on her foot.

My heart is going a million miles an hour, yet I feel like I’m floating.

He’s organizing charity events.

More dances.

To dance with me.

I burst into giggles as he opens the door to his little sports car for me. I slide in, and he quickly hops into the driver's seat.

“You don’t have to do this,” I tell him as he pulls away from his own event.

“Mike agreed he could handle it,” he says. “Ellen’s sticking around a little while longer before she comes to the show. I bought us both front-row tickets to cheer you on.”

My heart swells. I never thought I could feel so much!

He’s amazing.

And all the confusion clouding my thoughts melts away.

Some men would buy their partners jewelry. Some might write heartfelt letters to express their feelings. Many women would cherish both of those gestures.

But Aaron? Aaron sees me enough to know what I truly value. I want time with him. Moments and memories that we can make together.

I want his support and care, but I don’t want to be the only thing he loves. I want him to have his own passions and dreams. I envision us having our own worlds—ones we can open up and share with each other.

I want… this.

Someone who genuinely cares. For others as well as for me.

At the start, when he came to rescue Ellen and me from Steven at Castleton, I felt like the damsel in distress. The princess in the tower in need of rescue.

But I was scared. I feared that once I was out of the tower and no longer in need of rescue, he’d lose interest.

I’m realizing just how wrong I’ve been.

“I was afraid of so many things,” I blurt aloud as we get closer to my show. “But I’m not afraid anymore. I love you.”

Aaron’s grin is brighter than the sun. “I love you, too. I wasn’t going to say it. I—”

“Wanted to give me time,” I finish for him.

A sense of peace sweeps through me.

“I needed that time,” I tell him. “I needed your patience. Thank you, Aaron. You’ve been so amazing. I don’t know how to tell you how much all of this means to me.”

He reaches for my hand without taking his eyes off the road. “You don’t have to tell me anything. I love you and you love me. That’s enough.”

I bring his hand to my lips, kissing his palm softly.

“I’m not afraid anymore,” I whisper. “I feel as though I can do anything when I’m with you.”

I can’t hold my emotions back any longer. As we pass beneath the warm glow of streetlights, the fullness of my heart keeps swelling, more than I thought was possible.

“Aaron,” I begin, “tonight… everything you’ve done. I can’t thank you enough.”

His cheeks grow red. “I only did what I felt was right.”

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