Page 130 of Suck My Puck

After a few seconds, we break apart. She dabs at her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.

“Bella went off on him,” I say. “She said he was a jerk for not realizing how amazing I am and that he’d regret the kind of father he was to me.”

Emotion pummels me thinking about it again. I’ll remember forever the way she stood up for me. It meant everything.

My mom starts to smile, the pain in her expression fading. “She’s a gem, honey. Anyone who would defend you like that without hesitation is a keeper.”

“I know. I’m lucky to have her.” I let out a breath. “Now I just have to work up the nerve to tell her that I love her. She might not feel the same. I might freak her out.”

Mom pats my arm. “Or she could feel the exact same way about you. Did you ever think about that?”

She walks back into the house before I can answer her.

I mull over my mom’s words as I walk in through the sliding glass door and down the hall to the bathroom. When I turn the corner, I bump into Bella.

She wobbles, and I steady her with my hands on her shoulders. “Shoot, sorry,” I say.

She doesn’t answer me. She just stares at me with wide eyes, like she’s shocked.

“Are you okay?” I ask her

She hesitates for a moment. Then she says, “You love me?”

Chapter 45

Bella

Istand in front of Braden and stare at him, processing what I overheard him say a minute ago.

I’m in love with Bella.

The words float in my head, making my heart race.

I think about everything else he said—how he loves how passionate and feisty and strongwilled I am. The things that every other guy I’ve been with couldn’t stand about me, Braden loves.

My heart thuds harder and harder.

“You heard that?” he asks.

I nod. “The window by the hallway bathroom is open. I could hear everything you said.”

He blinks and rubs the back of his neck. A hard swallow moves down his thick throat. He looks so nervous right now.

“I love you too,” I say.

That scared look in his eyes fades. The corners of his mouth curve up in the sweetest, most gorgeous smile.

“You love me, pretty girl?”

I nod, biting back a smile.

He rests his hands on my hips, pulling me against him. “I need to hear you say it.”

“I love you, Braden.”

He kisses me softly.

He huffs out a breath and presses his forehead against mine. “You love me,” he says again.

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