Page 116 of The Perfect Love

“Everything okay?”

I throw my arms around his neck and look up at him. “Yeah. I had a kind of amazing morning. When I started at Promise, I didn’t know exactly how it would feel to work there. To help others when my own stuff is still healing, but this girl who came in today… she needed to know she wasn’t alone, and I think I needed it too. Logically, I’ve known that. But saying it to someone who has lived a story way too close to mine made it hit in a different way.” Tears well in my eyes. “The relief on her face when she realized she wasn’t alone and she was safe—that there was still a light for her to walk toward—I think it healed a part of my soul.”

He pulls me tight to him. “Babe, that’s amazing.”

“It is. It meant so much more to me than I could’ve anticipated. When I was finished helping her, my first thought was that I wanted to tell you. I know I’ve said it before, in passing, at least, but you’re my person. You’re the one I want to run to when I’m struggling and the person I can’t wait tocelebrate with when something good happens. I know we said we’d make sure we still took time away from each other—didn’t get too caught up—but I had to come here and tell you all that.”

He leans back, then kisses my forehead, running his fingers through my hair.

“I’ll never complain about that. We both have separate interests, and we’ll make a point not to spend every night together, but I wouldn’t mind seeing you every day. Stay for lunch? We always have sandwich stuff in the fridge, and I make a heck of a turkey club.”

“That sounds perfect. I—”

Oh. Holy crap. What was I—I almost just told him. Holy freaking fudge balls. I’ve been feeling the thrum of it somewhere deep inside me. But it was all shrouded in uncertainty. In me not being sure if it was true. Now, it’s irrefutable. I’m in love with Trevor Matteny.

“I’d love to spend the afternoon with you,” I choke out.

Trevor smiles at me so big it almost hurts, and I see it in his eyes. This isn’t one-sided. We’re falling into something wild and beautiful, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

He wraps his hand around the side of my neck and presses his lips to mine. In a second, I’m lost to him and all those swirly, twirly, butterflies-in-my-stomach feelings. Things I’d been too broken over the last year to even hope for again, but standing in his arms now, I know this is where I’m meant to be. After all I’ve been through, I’m stupidly happy. Thanks for showing up for me now, karma. It’s about time I get to enter my happiness era.

15

It’s Love

Chelsea

“Good morning,” I callas I fly through the door of Robbie’s apartment.

He wanders out from the bedroom. “Oh my god. Are you okay?”

My stomach clenches with worry. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because you’re here, and Trevor isn’t attached to your face.”

I mock laugh. “You’re soooo funny.”

“I am. Hilarious.”

“Well you can feast on your jokes for breakfast then, instead of the very fancy breakfast sandwich and home fries I brought for you.”

“I mean, I love you. And you’re sooo pretty.”

“Much better.”

We sit down at the table, and I slide his container over to him.

As he opens his, he says, “Not making fun, but genuinely curious… what has you up so early?”

“I took an early shift at Promise this morning. Since it’s close ish to the best little breakfast spot in Old Lake Town, I figured I’d be nice and bring you something.”

“Ah the first date spot you won’t stop raving about?” He takes a bite of his sandwich and groans. “Nevermind. It’s all true. Holy shit, this is delicious.”

“Told you.”

“Well, it’s impossible to believe anything actually is as good as you make it sound if you experienced it with Trevor. He makes your brain all mushy.”

I sigh dreamily. “He does.”

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