Page 55 of Waiting For Fate

“I’m sure she loves it, Moose. You know how she is about books. You did good.” She gives me an encouraging smile, but I still get up to check on Leah for myself anyways.

When I walk into the kitchen she’s standing in front of the large bay windows, looking down as her fingers trail over a page of the book. I shove my hands into my jean pockets nervously and take a few more steps in her direction.

“I’m sorry if it’s not what you wanted. Or if it’s something you already have. I wasn’t sure which?—”

“You really just overheard me mention this author’s name at dinner and found the book you thought I would want most of hers?” She looks up from the page and our eyes lock.

“I mean…yeah.”

“She literally has so many books out, and you just randomly chose this one?”

“Yeah, Dove. Look, it’s just a damn book. If you hate it I can just get you something else—” Again, she cuts me off mid-sentence.

“But it’s not just a book, Sawyer. It may sound stupid to you, but it’s just another reminder of how well you know me. Even after…” She closes her eyes and lets out a sigh, the same way she always has when she’s sad, and I can’t help but gravitate towards her. I take a chance and place my finger under her chin to get her to look at me. Surprisingly she doesn’t swat my hand away. Her eyes open and lock with mine, and like it does every time Leah looks at me, my heart stops.

“It doesn’t sound stupid to me. You have no idea just how good it is to hear I still know you. Even if only a little bit.”

“Why?” she whispers.

“Because there’s no one else in the world I want to know more than you, Dove. Do you really not care to know me anymore?” The pain in my voice shocks me. I haven’t let myself play out the scenario in which Leah wants nothing to do with me anymore. Because the pain that would come with that would be crippling.

“I’m still dating Jackson.” She visibly swallows and drops her gaze. I can’t help but pick up on the hint of remorse in her voice when she says his name or the involuntary rage that begins bubbling up in my chest at the mention of them being together—but I do my best to push that down.

“I didn’t ask if you were with him. I asked if you want to know me, Leah. Aren’t you even the least bit curious to know why I left the way I did? Why I ruined the only friendship that ever meant anything to me? Why I was stupid enough to let the girl I was crazy about slip away from me?” Her eyes snap back up to mine, her pupils flaring as her breath catches.

“What?”

“That’s my truth, Dove. I was so completely crazy about you; I wanted you in ways I never should have. And I knew I couldn’t risk your friendship with Taylor if I fucked things up between us by telling you. So, I left. I tried to forget about you, but the reality is—I haven’t gone a single fucking day without wishing you were mine.” I take her face in my hands, knowing she just told me mere moments ago she’s still with someone else, but fuck I just don’t care anymore. I wanted her to be the one to break but it looks like it’s going to be me that breaks after all.

“Sawyer, what are you doing?” Her breaths are short and fast. I press my forehead to hers, my jaw set tight as my need for her finally wins.

“I’m not walking away this time.” When my lips finally land on hers, it feels like coming home. I know within the first few seconds that I’ll never be the same without her. Her hands land on my sides, and when I dip my tongue into her mouth to deepen our kiss, she lets out the tiniest moan and fists my shirt.

My mind is suddenly clear of anything but her.

In this moment there’s nothing but us.

Until someone clears their throat behind us.

Leah rips herself away from me like she’s on fire and I can’t help but feel as though some kind of instant karma is about to play out.

“Um… Jackson’s here.”

Yup. That sounds about right.

When Tucker takes a step to the side and Jackson pops out from behind the wall, I look down to see Leah’s face has turned completely white.

“Surprise!”

Fuck.

CHAPTER 24

LEAH

“Surprise!”

“Second biggest one of the night,” I mutter to myself through clenched teeth.

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