Page 106 of Gracefully Yours

“Eh.” I was going to do it, anyway. Every day, for the rest of our lives. Because he deserved it. My gaze flickered between the towering stack of books and his face. “Let’s go home.”

And so we did.

Home.

* * *

Later that night,we were back at home, curled up on the couch, feeling content after indulging in theHappy One Month Anniversarycake he had bought earlier.

Maybe it was the girl’s words from our earlier conversation that had stuck with me and got me thinking. As I looked back on the last decade, I couldn’t help but question why we’d stayed just friends when we were clearly meant for more. For this.

“Daniel.” I sat up on my knees, turning to him. “I wanted to tell you something.”

“Hm?” He raised an eyebrow, even though I was sure he had no idea what I was about to say. It was something I’d buried deep down inside of myself for the longest time.

“You know I used to have the biggest crush on you?”

That got him sitting up straight. “When?”

Always.

“Well… freshman year.”

He moved a little closer to me, brushing a strand of hair off of my face. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. If we did this,” I paused, looking at the man I got to call my husband, “and it ended badly, you wouldn’t be in my life anymore. And I couldn’t risk losing you.”

“Oh, baby. You’d never lose me.” He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I promise.”

“I know.” There was no doubt in my mind about it now. We’d make it through this. Even if we didn’t say the words… I’d fight like hell for him. And I was pretty sure he felt the same.

“Why didn’tyoumake a move?” I asked, turning my body so I could look into his eyes better.

“Didn’t I?” He grinned, leaning in to whisper into my ear, “I asked you to marry me, Char.”

“Yeah,” I groaned, “At twenty-seven, not eighteen. We could have had so many more years together, Daniel. I could have—” I sniffled.Loved youwas on the tip of my tongue. With a shake of my head, I leaned back onto his chest.

“Maybe things were always supposed to be like this. We just had to find our way together.” He kissed my lips softly. “No regrets, right?”

I shook my head. In so many ways, I’d needed those years. To find myself. To learn who I was on my own. I was stronger because of that.

And I was stronger with him by my side.

“Is it weird that I think I was waiting for you?” My whole life, I’d never felt like I had my place. Not until college, until Portland. Because being with him, with Angelina, Gabbi, and Noelle, that had been where I’d fit in. Where I’d felt home.Peace.

“Charlotte…” He took my hand, squeezing it tight. “I wish…” He shook his head, words left unspoken. “I wish I’d waited for you.”

“But…” Oh. He thought I meantthat?No. “I know your first time wasn’t with me.” I gave a half smile, even though I went a little red thinking about someone else knowing him that intimately.

“It didn’t mean anything.” He winced. “Freshman year of college and… fuck, Char. I hadn’t even met you yet when it happened, but I wish you were my one and only, baby.” His fingers brushed over my ring. “But you’re the only one who will ever matter to me, I promise.”

I knew it was true, even if I didn’t want to admit the truth.

That I was falling in love with my best friend—was probably already in love with him, if I was being honest. I opened my mouth to tell him that, but those three little words didn’t slip out. Instead, what did was, “You’re the only one for me, Daniel Bradford.”

Which was as much of a confession as my heart was ready to give.

* * *

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