Page 87 of Wild Nights

I waited for a response, but when there was none, I continued before I could chicken out.

Carolina: Here it goes. I love you. I want to see if we can be more than just a fling.

I hit Send before I could second guess myself. Then I reread the messages until I felt sick. He hadn't responded. Was he thinking of a way to let me down easily?

I shouldn't have said anything via text. I should have asked for him to call me when he was free. What if Joey read the message first?

When there was a knock at the door at eight, I assumed it was Ginny coming to exchange presents. She hadn't said she was coming over, but she probably wouldn't feel the need to knock since she used to live here.

I opened the door, delighted to see snow falling. But instead of Ginny, it was Oliver holding a sleepy Joey.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as he stepped inside, and I closed the door.

"We wanted to talk to you." Oliver gently laid Joey down on the couch among the blankets I'd just discarded.

"Did you tell her yet?" Joey mumbled.

Oliver chuckled. "Not yet. Give me a minute."

"I don't understand." He couldn't have seen my message before he left Colorado. Unless he read them in the car on the way here from the airport.

Oliver crossed the room, touching my cheek, his eyesroaming my face as if he was trying to memorize it. "I made a big mistake letting you leave without telling you how I felt."

My heart surged.

He dipped his head slightly. "I love you, Carolina, and I'd really like?—

"We'd," Joey said from the couch, where his eyes were open.

I smiled as Oliver shook his head. "Yes, thank you, Joey.We'dlike to ask you if you want to see more of us."

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped. "Did you see my text message?"

Oliver's forehead creased. "No. What was it about?"

My eyes filled with tears. I couldn't believe that Oliver and Joey were in my living room. "It was the same sentiment. I wanted to tell you that I made a huge mistake in leaving without telling you how I felt.”

Oliver let out a breath. "I was worried about coming all this way, and then?—"

"Me not feeling the same way?" I added softly.

His eyes were suspiciously shiny. "But everyone said I had to take a chance and let you know what I was thinking.”

I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my body against his. "I accept. I want to spend more time with you and Joey."

Joey whooped from his spot on the couch.

Oliver closed his eyes and rested his forehead against mine. "You have no idea how happy you've made me."

"And me," Joey said, untangling himself from the tangle of blankets and joining us in a group hug.

Oliver leaned over and picked him up. "I hope you don't mind letting us stay here for the night."

I clasped my hands together. "I'm so excited to have house guests. I baked a small turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes."

Oliver raised a brow. "I thought you weren't cooking this year?"

I shrugged. "I couldn't help myself."

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