Page 104 of The Best Friend Power Play

"No. Then I admitted to myself I was in love with Evie. Big difference. I spent seven years pining over her, when, if I'd just been upfront about it and told her how I felt, maybe all that time wouldn't have been wasted."

"That's deep."

"It is. And so is this, so brace yourself. Because, yeah, telling someone how you feel can be scary, but not telling someone how you feel is even worse. And is that the kind of life you want to live?"

"Of course not." I push to my feet, wishing there was some magical way to transport myself back to Comfort Bay this very second. "I want to tell her. I'm going to tell her. Properly this time."

"That's my man," Fraser says, swatting me across my shoulders with his towel.

We finish getting ready.

As we're walking out into the parking lot, Milo asks us, "Hey, has Beth said anything about me?"

"Evie hasn't mentioned anything," Fraser replies.

I shake my head. "Not that I'm aware of. Why?"

"No reason," Milo gruffs. Fraser and I exchange high fives with him. "I'll see you guys at Fraser's mystery costume party."

"Sounds good," Fraser says, unlocking his Range Rover.

"Take care, Milo," I call out.

"You, too. And good luck with Hannah."

"Thanks. " We climb into the car. I look at Fraser. "How fast can you drive?"

I open the door before Fraser comes to a complete stop outside Hannah's house.

"I was going to say, Try to be chill, but I get the feeling I'd be wasting my breath."

"Who's got time to be chill?" I say, grabbing my duffel from the backseat. "Thanks for the ride."

"Anyti—"

I slam the door shut, race toward the house, and let myself in.

Hannah's on the couch, reading.

She looks up, and her expression brightens instantly. "Culver. Hi."

I drop my luggage on the floor with a heavy thud. "I love you."

"Uhhh…" She places the book she was reading on the coffee table, gets up, and walks over to me

"I'm sorry. I've been an idiot."

She blows out a breath, most likely trying to make sense of the crazy emanating off me.

"I'm sorry I didn't say it properly the first time."

"What are you talking about?"

"I said I think I love you."

"It's okay. You were scared."

"I was." I don't enjoy admitting that, but I never want to hide my feelings from her ever again. Even if they are yucky and embarrassing. I am so done with that.

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