Page 139 of Conquering Conner

“I’m a mess, Conner.” She shakes her head when I open my mouth. “I’m a mess… I know that. I know I’m hard to love. That my first instinct is to push away when I should be leaning in, but I want to lean into you.” She swallows hard and nods. “I don’t know anything about string theory. I don’t understand the alternate dimensions and universes that float around inside your head. I only know this one.”

She turns my hand over and gives me something.

Her ring.

The one I gave her.

I don’t know how she got it and I don’t ask.

I don’t care.

“I only know this universe, Conner, and this is it.” She looks up at me, her dark eyes wide, eating up the sight of me like she’s seeing me for the very first time. “This is the one where I choose you.”

I know what I’m supposed to do.

What I’m supposed to say but I don’t move. Don’t say a word.

I just look at her.

The way her hair frizzes around her temple a bit. The way her gold-tipped lashes flutter against her cheeks. The spill of freckles that fall down the bridge of her nose.

I’m remembering.

The time Henley chose me.

Then I push my ring onto her finger, aiming the point of it toward hers, before flashing her my dimples. “It’s a good start, O’Connell.” I pull her into my arms and hold her, lifting my hand to gently cup her face, loving the way her ring looks on my finger. “But if you want that book back, you’re going to have to work for it.”

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