Page 84 of Can We Just Be Happy Now?

“You okay?” I ask, carefully avoiding getting marshmallow in her hair as I pull her close.

Her head nods against my chest. “I’m sad. I don’t like Emily, but I love Troy. I don’t like seeing him like this.”

“I know, me too.” I squeeze her a little tighter.

She pulls away and reaches for her S’more. “He said he’s happy we are back together.”

“I think we can all agree on that.” I grin, kissing her even though her mouth is full of graham cracker crumbles. She giggles against my lips, and it’s the sweetest sound. I lick the chocolate remnants off my own lips while I contemplate my decision. “Soph?”

“Yeah?” She answers me, half distracted with the treat in her hand. When I don’t reply immediately she shifts her attention to me. My fingers thread through her curls, my thumb brushing her jaw. Either she can read me exceptionally well, or I’m being as crystal clear as I intend without words. “Really?!” she screeches excitedly, nearly dropping her S’more.

“Yes, really.” I smooth my thumb against her cheek as her eyes search mine for sincerity. Easily, I was ready to have sex with Sophie months ago–hell, years ago. But her being ready, us being ready to cross that line is a completely different story. There’s no going back from this. This is all in because I know I’ll never be able to let her go again after. Things feel different now, though. I trust her not to leave. I’m confident we’ve found our way back to the friendship we had before.

She glances at her S’more like she’s debating if she even wants to take the time to finish it. She’s been asking me every week for the past two and a half months if this is the week.

“You can finish your treat.” I laugh. “We have to put the fire out first.”

“So we can start another one.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. I roll my eyes with a chuckle. I’m obsessed with this girl.

“Meet me inside. I’ll be in soon.”

She grins, shoving the last bite in her mouth before skipping across the backyard grass.

I chuckle, shaking my head and walking to the hose connected to the side of the house. The time it takes for every red coal to turn black feels longer than ever before. When the fire is finally out, I make my way to my room, kicking my shoes off at the back door.

“I turned the TV on. I didn’t want to make Troy more sad.” My lips twitch up at her consideration. Troy already texted to say he was going out.

“How loud do you plan on being?” I ask with a smirk as I close the door behind me, crawling across the bed to where she leans up against the headboard.

She shrugs with a mix of nerves and excitement. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything about this, Coop! I mean I would if you didn’t make me wait so long!” she fake whines.

I straddle where her legs are kicked out across my navy comforter, bringing me close enough to inhale her mix of smoke and flowers. “I guess I should stop making you wait then, huh?”

“Finally!” She reaches for the hem of my shirt, but I stop her hands with mine. “What?!”

“Do you want to talk about it first? About what to expect. So you’re ready.”

“I am ready,” she insists, tugging at my shirt again. “Come on, Coop. I read about it in my books all the time.”

There’s no way her books give all the details. “I’m not sure it’s going to be exactly like your books, Soph. It might hurt.”

Her eyes widen and she looks at me. “Really?”

“It’s way different than my fingers.” I brush my thumb across her jaw and weave my fingers into her hair.

She sighs. “I mean, I guess I knew that, but I didn’t really think about it.”

“I’m not trying to freak you out. I’ve just been making you wait, and I don’t want you to be let down if it’s not perfect.”

“I won’t be. I promise. If the first time is weird, we’ll just have to do it again.” She grins. “Oh. Don’t we need a condom?”

I chuckle. I love this girl, always making sure we’re prepared. “I have one.” I open the drawer of my nightstand and pull one out, setting it on the bed next to us. I’ve never not used a condom during sex. I’m dying to know what it feels like. Someday I’ll try it with Sophie. She’s the only one I’d ever consider it with, but today isn’t the day for that.

She glances at the foil packet, then meets my gaze again, a smile lighting her face. She starts to say something, but I cut it off with a kiss.

With my hands bracing her neck as I run my thumbs across her cheeks.

With my tongue tangling with hers, tasting remnants of S’more.

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