Page 25 of A Kiss For The Holidays

Mum shrugs. “Some people just take a little time to realise these things. Isn’t that right, sweetie?” She kisses my dad’s cheek and I know there’s a story there.

“I really need to go,” I say as they give each other sweet smiles, seemingly forgetting I’m in the room.

“I’ll drive you to the airport,” my dad says, then walks over to the front door and throws on his coat.

In my mind, I’m transported thirty years in the future and I’m looking at Asher the same way my parents look at each other, and I can’t wait to start making that future a reality.

Chapter 20

Asher

The ground is cold and damp as I slide my back down the thick tree trunk and sit, my legs stretched out in front of me. Twelve years ago, a boy changed my life in this park when he insisted on being my friend. Twelve years ago, I stepped out of my shell and shook his pinky, promising that we’d be friends forever. Now, I look at the same spot we stood all those years ago and wonder what we are and where we go from here. I’m not sure I can go back to silently pining after Dalton, but I’m also not sure I can cut him out of my life altogether. Not after so many years.

When Lane suggested I leave with him, I told my parents I had an urgent project I needed to finish then darted off with him back to London. Despite the looks they gave me that said they didn't believe me, mum and dad hugged me goodbye without another word. For that I'm grateful.

The distance between Dalton and I however, has done nothing but make me miss him more and pine for him harder. It's the longest we've gone without talking and quite honestly, I hate it. Lane wanted me to stay with him in London, but I didn't want to, nor could I stand the idea of going back to Dalton and my shared house. So, I came to my parents' place, my childhood home, and the place that holds a thousand great memories.

Breathing out a sigh, I watch my breath form into mist in front of my face as it floats away. The park is quiet with only a few people braving the frost to walk their dogs. I close my eyes, ignore the damp soaking into my jeans as I rest my head againstthe tree.

I brush my fingers lightly against my lips and they twitch into a smile as I replay the memory of our first kiss. For a moment as his lips touched mine, time stood still and my heart fluttered, dancing in my chest with happiness. It was both everything and nothing like I expected and if fate had allowed it, I would have kissed him for the rest of my life. I saved my first kiss for someone special and I’ll always be glad it was him. And the sex? The thrill of knowing it was Dalton who took me apart piece by piece, who stripped me of all my insecurities, who gave me so many firsts, won’t be a feeling I soon forget. Even if things didn’t work out as I had foolishly hoped.

The crunch of twigs underfoot drags me back to the present and I open my eyes, blinking twice when I see the man standing in front of me. He’s dressed in a red and grey tartan jacket, black jeans and navy blue Vans. His hair is a rumpled mess, and his cheeks are rosy pink but his blue eyes are dull and despite the grin on his face, he looks sad. My gut twists because I hate it when he’s sad.

“Knew I’d find you here,” Dalton says as he sits in front of me, crossing his legs and not even flinching at the cold.

“You’ve always known me so well, Dalt.” My voice is quiet and my pulse races because there’s no hiding from this conversation now. “What are you doing here?”

“You left.” His words are matter of fact and I see the hurt that flashes across his features. “You left and I never had the chance to make things right.”

My throat bobs as I swallow thickly, but I don’t say anything.

“I’m sorry, Asher. I’m sorry I said I was fine to tell everyone and then backed out when the time came.”

“It’s okay. I should never have pushed you in the first place. I get it, this -” I wave my hand between us. “This was only ever a way to pass the time, it was never going to be more, so why tell our families? I get it. I promise, it’s okay.” I wonder who I’m trying to convince and if he noticed that I just lied to him.

“Oh God, Ash, no.” He climbs onto his knees and with his large hands on my arms, pulls me up and towards him. “I meant what I said, it all meant something to me. I just panicked in the moment.” I open my mouth to speak but he places his cold hand over my mouth. “And before you say anything, it’s not because I was afraid to tell them, and it’s not because you’re a guy. It’s because it’s you, Asher. I was afraid they’d all think exactly what you first did - that being with you was because we had nothing else to do, like some messed up Stockholm Syndrome.”

I cough out a choked laugh, pushing his hand away. “I never kidnapped you, so I'm not sure that fits this situation.”

He rolls his eyes. “Don’t bea smartass, you know what I mean. I didn't want everyone to think it was just another case of ‘Dalton being Dalton, never sure what he wants. Quick to try and slow to commit.’” He puts on a deep voice and I can't hold back my grin.

“Is that meant to sound like your dad?”

He bats me on the shoulder. “Stop interrupting! I'm making a big declaration here. The point is, I'm known for not seeing things through and it's never bothered me that people joke about my inability to stay in one direction, but I didn’t have the words to make it clear that being with you is the most certain I have ever been. This isn't a phase or a ‘little bit of fun’ or another thing I'm going to try then move on from.”

Dalton moves his hands up until he’s cupping my cheeks.

“Iloveyou, Asher. I amin lovewith you. I can look back on countless days of our past together and see it now. See that I have loved you for a very long time. I will spend every day proving to you that you are everything to me, Asher Ryan.”

Tears make my vision blur and I sniff, closing my eyes as they drip down my cheeks.

“I will scream it from the rooftops of London, that you are mine, if that would make you happy. Anything you want. When I’m with you, I’m home, Asher. You are my favourite person in the world - you have been since we were just little kids in this very park. Only now I love you in a totally different, wonderful way.”

He leans forward and brushes his lips against mine and I close the gap, gripping his coat and pulling him closer. We’re still kneeling on the frozen ground and I shiver, from a mixture of the cold and the excitement coursing through me. He loves me and I know without a shadow of a doubt that he means every word.

“I love you, Dalton. With every fibre of my being, I love you.”

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” His eyes have gained back their sapphire sparkle. He stands then reaches out his hand to me, pulling me to my feet. Dalton links our pinkies together and, in a move reminiscent of that day twelve years ago, he moves our hands up and down in a shake.

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