Page 44 of Twink Heart

?“But… she–”

?“She’s a money-grubbing bitch.”

?Now it was me who was at a loss for words.

?“Long story short, her new boyfriend broke up with her because she’s a cheater. Then she let it slip that she only wanted me back to get the money I’d saved up for a house for us. Not only that, but when I told her off, she tried to make it sound like everything was my fault and that I was the one in the wrong.”

?That sounded exactly like the conversation I’d had with Ray over the weekend.

?“Then she called me a fag.”

?“She what?!” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “People still say that?!”

?“She did. Twice. And I told her she was right before I blocked her.”

?“Christ. That’s a fucking lot to deal with all of a sudden.” I gave him a good once over. “Why do you seem so happy about it? Anyone else would be falling apart. A week ago you thought you were straight.”

?“I did. But I know I’m not now.” He reached out, taking my hand and pulling it into his lap. “I don’t know if it’s just you or if this is a part of me that I’ll need to explore more, but I don’t care. The truth is that I find you very attractive and I think I might even… like you.”

?I didn’t know what to say, so I just stared at him with my jaw hanging open.

?“I’d like to give this… whatever it is with you, a shot.” Those brown eyes of his searched mine, desperately trying to find some hint that I felt something toward him. “If that’s something you’d be interested in. I know I’m a mess and I know I’ve got a lot to learn. But I’d do my best to be whatever you need me to be.”

?“Rowan,” I replied, finding my words at last. “I don’t need you to change to make me happy. I don’t know who all you’ve dated in the past, but that’s not how relationships are supposed to work.” I leaned in, pressing my forehead to his. “I like you just the way you are, baggage and all.”

?His breath hitched. “Do you really mean it?”

?“Of course I do.” I pressed my lips to his, savoring the taste of him on my tongue as we connected once more. My skin erupted in goosebumps and a shiver ran down my spine. “But you have to make me a promise.”

?“Anything.”

?“If you ever don’t want to be with me, just say it, okay? Don’t make me guess.”

?“That’s an easy promise to make,” he replied, hugging me tightly. “And the same goes for you. I don’t know if I could stand another situation like I had with her.”

?“I would never do that to you or anyone,” I said confidently. “I promise.”

?We sat there for a long moment, just holding one another and enjoying the contact. The food lay forgotten next to us while the cool breeze kicked up over the lake. Everyone else at the beach was just having a normal day, completely unaware of the revelation that had just taken place. Rowan was finally ready to accept who he was, and he wanted to do it with me of all people.

And, of course, I was more than willing to give him a chance. I wanted nothing more than to wake up every day next to him and see that smile on his face. He made my heart flutter in ways that I didn’t know were possible. After all the dates I’d been on, Rowan was the last person I expected to make me feel this way. But I was thrilled nonetheless.

?When we finally pulled away from one another, I shifted over to Rowan’s side of the trunk so we could sit shoulder to shoulder. I picked up his food and handed it to him before taking my own.

?“So,” I said, beaming from ear to ear. “What’s next?”

?“Well,” he replied, taking a big bite. “The first thing I’m gonna do is quit my job.”

?I nearly spit out my food. “What? Why?!”

?“I hate it.”

?“Yeah… but don’t you need to make money?”

?“I have quite a bit put away,” he grinned. “And I’m gonna spend it all on myself just to spite Mia.”

?“I mean… I get the urge to do that, but is it smart?”

?“I’ve got enough saved up to get me through at least a year’s worth of expenses. In that time I can find another job that I actually don’t mind doing. Plus it’ll give me some time to think about what you said.”

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