Page 87 of The Friendly Fall

Oh great. Good to know.

“Because if I hadn’t, I might never have realized just how strong my feelings are foryou.”

I freeze, not sure that I heard her right, but then she pulls out a letter—the same one that I started to read in the workshop. “What’s that?” I ask stupidly.

“Something that you should’vefinishedreading.” She holds it out, her hands trembling slightly. “I’ll show you the other half of it later.”

I raise my brows but take the letter from her without saying anything.

I unfold it, feeling my heart racing in my chest.

To the man who holds my heart,

I’m sorry for everything that's happened between us. I should’ve never asked you to put on a show for my parents. However, I don’t regret it, because the night we kissed, I finally realized that I felt so much more than friendship for you. I think you felt it, too. But if you didn’t, I don’t care. I just want you to know that I’m sorry for things being complicated and messy…

But I’ve fallen inlove with you.

And maybe love is worth a try, after all.

Love,

Eliza

I reread it again, squeezing my eyes shut and wishing that I would’ve finished it the first time.

“Um, so…” Eliza shifts in the snow, the sound of the truck engine idling behind us. “Do you think … Do you think you could forgive me? I never meant to cause all these problems, and I don’t—”

I cut her off, my fingers threading through her blonde hair with ease as I bring her lips to mine. Those same fireworks explode as she lets out a soft moan, filling the cold December air. Her fingernails dig into my hoodie as I hold her soft, plump lips to mine, my tongue invading every inch of her mouth. I held back the night of Thanksgiving, but this time…

This time I want her toknowhow I feel.

I deepen the kiss, pouring every ounce of emotion that I’ve been holding onto into it. Eliza responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me closer. Our bodies mold together as we continue to get lost in each other.

I lift her up effortlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist as she clings to me. I set her on the back of my tailgate, never breaking the kiss. The cold metal bites through our clothes, but the chill is nothing compared to the heat between us.

The world around us fades away, leaving only the two of us lost in the moment. My heart thunders in my chest, matching the rhythm of hers as our lips move in perfect synchrony. She tastes like vanilla and cinnamon, a subtle mix of sweetness and spice that makes my head spin.

When we finally break apart for air, we’re both breathless and slightly flushed.

“So I take it that you forgive me for the fake relationship then?” she pants, her lips slightly swollen.

I laugh, reaching out and wiping away one of her rogue tears. “Of course I forgive you. But you have to know … it wasneverfake to me.”

“Oh, Nick. You’re always full of surprises,” she murmurs, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Thank you so much for being patient with me. I was so afraid to open myself up to love again, so afraid to risk getting hurt. But you’re truly the most amazing man I’ve ever known. When I moved to West Falls, I thought I was just running away from my past, but now I realize, I was running towards you. You’re my best friend, my partner-in-crime, and now, hopefully so much more. I’m absolutely in love with you, Nick. I’ve never felt more seen or more safe with someone. Thank you for showing me that not all men are the same.”

I cup her face in my hands, staring deeply into her eyes. “Eliza, I’ve been in love with you from the moment I laid eyes on you,” I confess, my voice raw with emotion. “I was just afraid to tell you my true feelings because I didn’t want to push you away, or ruin the beautiful friendship we built. But I’m so happy to finally get to tell you that not only are you my best friend, you’re also the missing piece of my heart that I didn’t even know was lost until you showed up in my life. I want to be everything you need and more. I want to be the one who makes you happy every day, who loves you unconditionally, and who stands by your side through everything. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Her cheeks flush all over again and she falls into my arms, letting me hold her there as the sun sets over the frozen creek.

For the first time,everythingfeels right.

“I still have something to show you,” Eliza murmurs into my chest, her hair tickling my nose. “It’s kind of a big deal, too.”

“Would it have anything to do with all that wood strung out in the workshop at your granny’s?” I ask, chuckling as she pulls back to look up at me.

She narrows her eyes. “Do you already know?”

I shake my head. “No, I don’t, but I would love for you to show me.”

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