Page 118 of And Then Came You

“You think last night meant something to me? It didn’t. Last night didn’t mean something to me.”

“Sam, please—” My God, I know he may not return the affection, but is he really going to shred me in front of everyone?

He shakes his head, moving ever closer to the front of the room. “No, I need to say this. Last night meanteverything. You’re not some woman, Lexi. You’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. You’rethatwoman. How do you not know I’m in love with you?”

I didn’t hear him correctly. Did I… hear him correctly?

One look at his earnest expression and I know the answer.

My hand flies over my mouth as the tears stream down my face, but there’s not a drop of sadness to be found. Only exquisite elation, and the need to hear him say those words again, lest I heard him wrong the first time. “You’re in love with me?”

“Without a doubt. Now, do you have anything to add because I just spilled my guts in front of about two hundred women.”

I can’t hold back the laughter rising from my chest. Why would I? Life is pretty damn glorious right now. “I told you I loved you first.”

His face scrunches in confusion. “No, you didn’t. I told you months ago, in those notes.”

Oh, crap. How can you be so wrong about a situation? All I remember about those notes is stepping over them in my haste to escape my heartbreak. Shifting from one foot to the other, I bite my lip, sending him a rueful smile. “I never read the notes.”

This can go one of two ways. Either Sam will become incensed—rightfully so—or he will find the irony in the situation. Lucky for me, it’s the latter, as he shakes his head, a knowing smirk on his face. “That explains a lot.”

With a giggle, I realize how much easier life would have been for us both if we had just stopped fighting the idea of us.

But it likely wouldn’t have been as grand as this moment. The bitter makes the sweet.

“So, technically I did tellyoufirst.”

Sam gives me a heated stare as he crosses his arms over his chest, the embodiment of every woman’s fantasy. They can lust over his body, but his heart belongs to me. “You did, and if you had waited thirty seconds instead of running in here, you would have heard mesayit back. I wanted to tell you last night, and the night before, and the week before that…”

Planting my hands on my hips, I send him a saucy smirk. “I still said it first.”

Now it’s Sam’s turn to laugh. “Get over here, E.T. Right. Now.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll come get you.”

I crook my finger in his direction. “Come get me, handsome.”

He’s by my side in a few quick strides, sweeping me into his embrace.

The room erupts into applause the moment I’m in his arms, but I’m a bit too busy to bask in their appreciation. I’m basking in Sam’s, as his mouth claims mine.

They say, and I’ll never know whotheyare, that kisses taste different when you’re in love. They aren’t lying. This kiss is slow and drugging, intoxicating every cell as it whispers of promises to come.

So many promises.

“You really love me?” Yes, I’m going to keep asking, because I adore Sam’s answer.

Sam pushes the hair from my face, the glow of love very much alive in his eyes. “So damn much. You’re my E.T.”

“That’s it. I need to know. Why do you call me E.T.? Is it really because of my obsession with that silly movie?”

“No.”

“I don’t look like E.T.” I glare at him. He may love me and I adore him, but I’ll hurt the man if he sees a resemblance.

Sam chuckles. “Well… kidding. Not at all.”

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