Page 115 of The Fake Out Flex

I nod, glancing down at the truth fry, then blow out a breath before saying, "Since my senior year."

"When you used to come over?"

I nod again. "I would never have acted on it, then. I was much older."

"You're still much older," she says with a smile.

I meet her eyes, and despite the inclination I have to stop talking and retreat into my shell, I push ahead. "I wanted to kiss you then. Not right away, just so we're clear. That was never my intention when I first started coming over. But as we started hanging out, the way I saw you started to change…and the way I liked you started to change, too."

Evie's soft hands slide over mine, and she takes the fry from me. "I wish you'd kissed me back then, but I totally understand and respect why you didn't. And even though it's taken you seven and a half years, I'm glad we're kissing now."

I smile. "I'm a slow mover."

"Tell me about it."

"I also need you to know something else, Evie."

"What?"

"I would never kiss someone unless it means something. This isn't a game for me. I'm not trying to make up for something I've wanted to do since high school. I have genuine feelings for you."

Her eyes bore into me. "Do you really mean that?"

"I do." My fingers skim down the curve of her arm. "I don't know where we go from here, but I wanted to let you know how I feel."

Her eyes are darting about, and I can tell she's processing it. It's a lot to lay on her, I realize that. More than what she signed up for.

So, I add, "I don't expect anything from you, and you don't have to say anything back."

"I'm holding a fry, Fraser. I'm kind of obligated to say something."

I crack a tiny smile. "You really don't. We can make a one-time exception."

"But I want to," she says, and I pick up on a trace of that unmistakable Evie determination. "I have genuine feelings for you, too."

There have been times in my life when I've been lucky enough to live out a long-held dream. Getting drafted into the NHL. Scoring my first game-winning goal in overtime. Being awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy for Rookie of the Year.

In all those moments, I had an almost out-of-body experience. Like I was watching them happen to me rather than them being things I was going through.

But hearing Evie saying those words, words I've wanted to hear her say for so long, I've never been more in my body.

Every blink.

Every breath.

Every heartbeat.

Every second that passes, I am here.

I've never felt more alive.

"I don't know what we should do next, either." She looks up at me and smiles shyly. "Maybe we just keep going with this whole fake dating thing for a while longer and see where it leads?"

"That makes sense," I agree.

Her smile grows. "A try before you buy arrangement, if you will."

"Oh, is that what you're doing now? Sampling the goods while you can still return them?"

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