Page 123 of Stealing Sunshine

“Oh, wow. Okay. You love her.”

“I do,” I confirm.

“When did that happen? When did all of this happen? Because from what I saw, she might be in love with you too.”

I laugh on instinct, shaking my head. “She’s not in love with me. But things started changing a few weeks ago. Just small things, like her taking care of me when I was sick and we were trapped at my parents’ house, and me always keeping the house stocked with her favourite shit. I was interested in her before, but it’s so . . . it’s so fucking different now.”

Poppy’s lips pull into a soft, understanding smile. “Different how?”

“Watching her from afar, I knew she was caring and kind and beautiful. But there’s so much more to her than that. She’s brave and confident and loves to get a rise out of me. I’ve never had anyone push me as much as she does. It’s like she’s dug into my brain and found my instruction manual,” I ramble.

“You do love her.”

My laugh is brighter than usual. “I do.”

“So, it’s safe to say it’s not fake anymore?”

“We’ve agreed to go slow.”

“Is that a yes?”

“I haven’t told her that I was interested in her before.”

“Will she even care about that?”

I bite the inside of my cheek and dart my eyes around the studio. “I don’t know.”

“For what it’s worth, I don’t think she will. Look where you are now. Who cares about you being interested in her before? But you need to own up to it, even if just to clear your conscience. Don’t start a relationship with a lie, even one like that.”

I don’t disagree with her. I’ve always known that I would have to tell Daisy about my preexisting infatuation eventually. Even if it was only a crush, I went into this knowing I was interested in her.

“When did you become so knowledgeable with relationships?”

“Ever since I learned what real love feels like. The kind that shifts the world beneath your feet not once but every single day.”

“Yeah, I think I’m starting to get that.”

“There’s nothing I want more for you than to get to experience a love like that, Ice.Nothing. You deserve someone who’s going to make you wake up with a smile on your face, even when you slept like shit the night before,” she says, tears leaking down her cheeks at a quick pace.

My stomach swoops as Daisy’s name repeats itself in my mind. “Don’t cry, Pops. I’ve already been gushier than I wanted to today.”

She shoves my shoulder. “You can never be too gushy.”

“Are we good now? You and me?” I ask cautiously.

Poppy pulls me in for another hug. “If you’re good, I’m good.”

“I’m sorry for pulling back. You’re my best friend.”

“No more apologies. I love you.”

I nod against her shoulder. No more apologies sounds just right to me.

“I love you too.”

If I haveto watch Daisy bend over in front of me one more time, I’m going to burst into a giant ball of flame and accidentally burn this place to the ground. My grip on the pole is punishing as she follows Poppy’s instructions and sways her round ass in my face. It’s one of the only moves I approved of with her healing tattoo, and now I’m regretting us coming here at all. I should have insisted we wait another week or two.

Poppy is ignoring my death glare, smirking to herself while moving from student to student and giving them tips on how to improve their form. I haven’t been listening for shit. God help me, I’ve barely broken a sweat because I’ve been stuck in a standing position, watching my girl all class.

---