Page 33 of Echoes of Us

I think he was probably the only person who thought that.

His frown deepened. “I need you to stop thinking that, Atty.”

I felt a small stab in my chest. “Why?”

“Because I don’t want to ruin you. I don’t want you to hate me,” he told me. He looked like he was in pain again.

I hated that it was my fault he was feeling like this. “I could never hate you,” I told him, looking into his eyes, trying to convey the depth of my sincerity.

“You could,” he said, his voice soft, almost a whisper. I felt his thumb caressing mine.

“And you’re not going to ruin me either,” I insisted.

But he nodded, his eyes filled with doubt. “I could. You’re like a fucking angel, Atty. I can’t do this to you. Not to you,” he said, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“I’m not an angel.”

A small, sad smile played on his lips. “I need you to stop feeling what you’re feeling. We’re supposed to be friends,” he said.

I tightened my grasp on his hand. “Wearefriends,” I told him, watching his shoulders relax slightly. “I can’t promise to stop feeling what I’m feeling, but I’m not going to ask for more if you don’t want me to. I want to be here for you, and if this is how you want it, then that’s fine by me,” I said, my voice steady.

He seemed even more torn, his eyes flickering with indecision.

“I’ll take what I can from you,” I added softly.

He stared at his knees, letting out a frustrated sigh. “Fuck,” he muttered, closing his eyes tightly. His leg bounced nervously and his grip on my hand intensified. It was a little disappointing that he didn’t want me, but this wasn’t so bad as far as rejections went. If we could at least be friends, I could still be close to him.

“It’s really okay, I promise,” I said, my voice gentle.

His eyes found mine, and he released my hand. Suddenly, he pushed closer, grabbing my shoulders and straddling my lap. A shiver ran through my body at the contact.

“What—” I started to ask, but he grabbed my hands and placed them on his back. He cupped the side of my face, pulling me closer. His eyes looked amazing this close.Helooked amazing this close. “What are you doing?” I managed to ask, my breath catching in my throat.

“I think it’s pretty fucking clear what I’m doing,” he said with a laugh that sounded more like a sigh of relief.

“You just told me to stop feeling this way about you,” I pointed out, my heart pounding.

“I told you I say things I don’t mean all the time.” He pressed his forehead on mine.

Shit.

“But what don’t you mean? This or wanting me to stop liking you?” I asked, feeling his breath on my face.

I couldn’t even describe the feeling in my chest. It was like falling on a rollercoaster, getting a jump scare in a movie, not realizing there was an extra step on a staircase and free-falling—all of that rolled into a ball in the best fucking way possible.

He slid his hips closer to me, and I was sure I couldn’t breathe.

“Atty, for fuck’s sake, come on,” he said, pulling my face closer. His green eyes locked onto mine, filled with urgency and longing.

My gaze traveled from his eyes to his lips. Mine suddenly felt way too dry and far away, like they were miles apart from his.

“Come on, come on, come on,” he muttered, his breath warm against my skin.

I pulled him down by his shirt, feeling the fabric bunch under my grip. Leaning towards him, I pressed my lips to his.

Finally.

His lips were soft and warm under mine, like silk. I closed my eyes, feeling his mouth press closer, and kissed him back. It felt like time was holding still. I grabbed him harder, pulling him closer, and he parted his lips with a sigh. I tiltedmy face to try and get closer, kissing those soft lips over and over again. God, this felt so good. He felt so good.

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