Page 89 of The Perfect Love

“Have you not figured out how I feel about romance?”

“True. I should’ve seen that coming. Okay, fine. Is it…” He trails off, eyes narrowing. “Is it the thirteenth?”

For some reason, his words have a heaviness to them.

“Yeah, it is.”

He swallows and shakes his head. “That’s my dad’s birthday.”

My eyes go to his, emotion rippling through me.

Tug.There’s another string, tying us together. Pulling me to this kind, compassionate man, who I’m certain I was meant to find.

“Guess I have a new special reason to celebrate it now,” Trevor whispers, voice gravelly.

“We should still honor him too.”

He stares at me for a long moment, then pulls me tight to him, and that warm fuzzy feeling blooms in my heart. I know what it is. I know what’s growing there. I’m not ready to say it yet. It’s still taking root, but I know once it grows, it’ll be stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before.

“My mom’s going to love it.”

“Yeah?”

He nods. “She loves celebrating birthdays—it’s her way of honoring people. It took some convincing to keep her from coming up for mine.”

“Oh, so it really isn’t just me. You don’t wantanyoneto celebrate your birthday. Got it.”

“I didn’t say that,” he sighs. “Just would rather see her when I’m back there in a couple of weeks anyway. I’d rather her stay back home with Hyla. I know how much my mom loves me. Hyla needs more of that love right now.”

“That’s sweet.”

He shrugs. “There’s no getting out of celebrating it anyway, she’ll do it when I’m home next. So, no, I’m not trying to avoid celebrating. I just don’t need anything special.”

“Mhm. And that’s why there’s a party at the lake house on Saturday.”

“Have you met Amanda? We should talk about that, though. Are you going to be okay at a party?”

Ah yes, one of the lovely things we’ve discussed over the past week, how I haven’t been comfortable with parties or drinking since my assault. Though I want to get comfortable being able to have a drink here or there—especially as I get closer to twenty-one—I don’t have much desire for parties.

“With most other parties, I’d say no, but Rae told me the first time I ever went to the lake house that it’s a safe space.”

“She doesn’t like parties much either. But I think for her it’s different with our friends.”

“That’s how I feel too, though you said some guys from the baseball team will be there?”

“The SUNY FL one, yes. But only a couple. Otherwise, it should be small. Though I’m sure Amanda is trying everything possible to get some friends from back home here. Hyla has to work, but we’ll see if Amanda gets anyone else here. No matter what, though, if you feel uncomfortable at any time, my roomwill be a safe place. And if you need me to go up there with you for any reason and make you feel safe…”

“Now who’s threatening who?” I tease.

He grazes his lips over mine. “I just want you to know you’re safe with me. Especially when you’re in my arms. And when your lips are on mine… nothing safer than that.”

“Hm. I guess we better test that out.”

“We better.” He leans back against the couch and pulls me to him again, and I happily get lost in the warmth of his arms, the peace in my heart, and yes, the safety I always feel with him.

My lips press firmly to Trevor’s, my tongue teasing his as I straddle him on the couch, completely unhinged as I kiss him.

Fire burns in my gut, all desperation for him. I love making out with him, and I’m starting to think I might be ready—or inching toward ready—to take things further. Even if it’s only half a step.

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