Page 187 of The Snowball Effect

She’d never been loved like this, before. Yes, her grandmother loved her unconditionally, and so did her mom, as different as they’d showed that love throughout her life. Butromantically, it had never been close to this.

The only person that had ever saidI’m in love with youto Emma had been Felicity. And it was not something she’d wanted to make a production out of, not something she’d given any fanfare.

That had been fine. Honestly, it had been what Emma believed she’d wanted. Something quiet, understated, and modest. Something that Emma had believed was just – real. No sappy, exaggerated gestures and meaningless fluff.

Though Emma had never had an easy time admitting when she was wrong, this was probably the easiest thing to be wrong about.

Because being loved by Regan wasn’t quiet or understated or modest; it was loud and sappy and heart-pounding, and the realest thing Emma had ever experienced.

If someone had given her the hypothetical situation that her partner would tell her they loved her, but Emma wasn’t ready to say it back, she’d have imagined it would make her anxious. That she’d feel pressured and uncomfortable and that she’d wished they’d waited longer to tell her.

She’d never have imagined that she didn’t feel stressed at all by Regan’s confession or repeated statements. It was purely because of Regan, herself. She didn’t expect Emma to say anything back until she was ready, and Emmaknewthat.

And with that love came these nicknames. Most often, they were comments on Emma’s looks – specifically, on how attractive Regan thought she was.

Again, something Emma was definitely not used to in any way. But… something she couldn’t deny made her feel good. It felt wildly, unexpectedlygoodto be reminded how attracted toher Regan was. Emma hadn’t felt better about herself in her entire life.

Regan Girlfriend-Material Gallagher – 5:43PM

?!?! the post-work rush is dying down a bit and now I’m dying to know what your news is!!

She couldn’t even be upset about the fact that Regan had commandeered her phone and changed her contact info. Something that would have once driven her crazy was now something she looked at with every text andsmiledat.

Emma – 5:43PM

Allegra is giving me the chance to submit a piece

She paused, before correcting herself.

Emma – 5:43PM

Actually, she asked me to submit something

Unsurprisingly, Regan’s response was immediate, in spite of the fact that she was working.

Regan Girlfriend-Material Gallagher – 5:43PM

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR

That’s so exciting!!!

EMMA!

I love you!!! You deserve this!

Biting her cheek, Emma shook her head as she walked toward the subway station.

Emma – 5:44PM

There’s a huge chance it’s not getting published

Regan Girlfriend-Material Gallagher – 5:44PM

Not with that attitude!!

Who cares, anyway! It’s about the fact that she wants you to submit your writing!!!!!!

This was it.

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