Page 48 of The Perfect Love

When I walk into the lake house, I’mwhistling. I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. Which must be whyI walk straight upstairs, ignoring the stares from half of my housemates, and come to a stop outside of the master bedroom.

Sarah’s inside, standing by the bed, folding clothes.

I quickly knock and her head snaps toward the doorway.

“Hey.”

“Can I come in?”

“Of course. What’s up?”

“Thank you,” I blurt.

Her brows shoot up. “What?”

“Thank you. For breaking up with me.”

“Oh.” The surprise on her face morphs into a wicked, knowing smile that, despite not being genetically related, she got from her grandmother. “Today was your date with Chelsea.”

“Yep.”

“I take it things went well.”

“Definitely.”Is calling it the best day of my life too dramatic?“It was…” I’m struggling to find the words. Perfect still seems wrong. Right sounds too weak. “Everything.”

Her smile grows. “That’s adorable. I love it.”

I run a hand through my hair. “So anyway, thank you for ending things when you did. I’m sure that sounds stupid, but I would’ve held on too tightly for too long, and even if I’d realized it felt wrong eventually, I would’ve tried to force it, and we both would’ve ended up unhappy. And missed out on something better. Because what I feel with Chelsea is—”

“Right.”

She looks down at the clothes she’s folding. Not just hers. Joel’s too.

“Yeah.”

“I’m glad you’re happy.”

“Are you happy?”

She looks around the room, a smile of wonder on her face. “Yeah. I am. I’m still scared to screw it up, but I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

Me too.

“Good. Well, I’ll leave you to it. Have a good night.”

“Yeah. You too.” I turn to leave, but she calls after me. “Try to keep thenoisedown in there.”

I laugh and throw my middle finger up as I walk away.

I’m too happy to even jerk off tonight.

When I get to my room, I strip down to my boxers, throw on an undershirt, and flop down on my bed. And despite how early it is, as I replay today like a rom-com in my mind, I fall asleep with a smile on my face.

8

Blossoming

Trevor

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