Page 140 of Lilly

When we're done, Reed holds me in his arms and we lie there, enjoying the fact that we don't have to race to get dressed like we did last summer with the parents around.

He kisses me. "I love you."

"I love you too." I snuggle closer to him.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"A year ago today, I met you. You slammed that door into me. My arm hurt for days."

I sit up. "It did? Why didn't you tell me?"

He smiles. "I'm just kidding. I was fine."

"That was so embarrassing. I can't believe you still wanted to date me after that."

"It was love at first sight. I had to date you."

"Yeah, you're funny."

"Why is that funny?"

"It wasn't love at first sight."

"Sure it was. That's why I drew your picture that day."

"If you loved me, then why'd you go out with that girl?"

"It was one date, and it wasn't really a date. We had dinner. That's it. We didn't even kiss."

"You still went out with her."

"Because you weren't available. You were dating that asshole, Preston. And besides, I didn't know it was love back then. I kept telling myself it wasn't because that's not what I wanted. Like I told you last year, I didn't want a girlfriend. I was just here to get my degree and move on. I had no idea I'd meet my future wife the first day of college."

"Future wife?" I smile. "I still haven't agreed to that."

"That's fine," he says casually. "I have three years to talk you into it."

"And then we're getting married?"

"Or engaged. Whatever you're most comfortable with. But eventually we're getting married." He kisses me. "Because I love you more than anything and there isn't anyone in this world I'd rather be with than you."

I feel the same way about him. But I'm not ready to get married. Maybe I won't even be ready in three years. But at least now I have the option. The choice is mine and not some secret organization's.

This past summer has changed me. Knowing what I know has made me see the world differently, just like Garret said it would. But it hasn't changed the fact that I love Reed, even more now, after almost losing him. So marrying him? It'll happen. I'm just not sure when.

When we do get married, I know Reed will be a great husband. And a great father, but we're definitely not having four kids like Jade and Garret do. I laugh just imagining that.

"What's so funny?" Reed asks.

"I was thinking how crazy it would be to have four kids like Jade and Garret."

"Really? Because I was thinking five or six would be good."

"What?" I look at him, shocked.

"You know I love kids."

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