Page 92 of Text Appeal

He blinks and there’s this stunned sort of disbelief in his gaze. Followed fast by the realization that I mean it. Every word. I am not his ex, and we won’t be getting back together sometime in the future. It’s sad and it sucks. But I have to move forward without him. Without this hurt.

It feels like someone has pried my rib cage open, ripped out my heart, and let it bleed all over the floor. What a mess it’s making. Falling in love is the worst. Especially when it’s not unrequited, but they’re not ready either. What can you even do with that? Nothing. Not a damn thing.

I try to smile, but it doesn’t stick.

He just stands there staring at me.

Right. This is done.

I don’t even manage a single step. It’s like he’s grown wings. He rushes me, wrapping his arms around me, holding me so tight I can barely breathe. With his face pressed against my hair, he keeps saying something. It takes me a minute to figure out what. Then I get it.

“I love you, Blue. I love you. But I can’t love you alone. You’ve got to stay with me.”

“What? Connor?” I soothe my hands over his broad back. It’s hard to gain traction with how strong he is. My face is half squished against his chest and I can hear his heart thumping a frantic beat. “Hey. Look at me.”

Ever so slowly, his arms ease their hold. “I don’t want to fuck this up.”

“Then don’t.”

“Okay.” He cups my face in his big hands. It takes a moment for the fear in his gaze to ease. “You’ll stay with me? We’ll work it out together?”

“If we’re doing it together? Then yeah.”

The tension in his shoulders gradually releases and his eyes search my face. “I love you.”

“You said that.”

“I meant it. Just in case you were wondering.”

“Thank you.” I am not going to cry. “I really needed to hear it. And I love you too.”

“That’s nice,” says someone.

Someone else hums their agreement. “So much couple’s therapy in their immediate future, though.”

“Yes,” answers Joyce. “But they’ll be okay. Love can work wonders. Just you wait and see.”

“Shut up everyone, please.” The corners of Connor’s lips curl up in the best way. “Blue, we’re going to be okay, right?”

“Yeah.” I smile back at him. “We really are.”

The cacophony of noise when the Jenga tower fell can’t compare. His mouth slams down on mine with the kiss of the century. My hands fist in his shirt. Not that he is trying to go anywhere. But I can’t get close enough to the man and he definitely feels the same.

Rain on a tin roof or front row at a rock concert can’t compare to the noise the crowd is making. We damn near bring the roof down on the over-a-hundred-year-old building. And neither Connor nor I could care less.

EPILOGUE

A year later…

Ava: This is bullshit. I am not wearing that thing.

Me: So don’t.

Katja: You said I could pick your dress, Liebling. And it will look amazing with Riley’s wedding gown.

Ava: It’s bright fucking yellow.

Katja: Ja. Because you are my sunshine.

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