Page 90 of Growing Into Love

He runs a hand through his curls. “We go home tomorrow.”

“I am aware.”

“We’ll be back with our friends and family again.”

“This is true.”

“I was wondering…what you were planning on telling them. About us.”

“I wasn’t planning on telling them anything,” I say.

His face falls. “Oh,” he says, looking down and pulling his hand away.

“No, Jaz,” I say, grabbing it and pressing it between my palms. “I meantweshould tell them. Together. About this. Us. Me and you.” I blush. “At least, I hope that’s what you want to tell them too. I hope there’s a me and you.”

“Cass,” he says, sitting forward in a rush, his voice full of passion. “I know it’s too soon to say things like this, but…I can see it so clearly, you know? Our future together. It’s like I’ve been waiting for this relationship and didn’t know it until it smacked me in the face.”

I giggle. “Or forced you across an ocean.”

He grins, then his expression turns serious. “I’m not the sort who falls lightly. I don’t open myself up easily. But with you it’s like…I already have. I already know you, Cass. And now, knowing you in this way, it’s like the world has come into focus. I want you for the rest of my life. I want to grow old with you, have kids with you. I can’t see any other future for me except one with you in it. We aren’t strangers. I know love takes time, but I think maybe I’ve been in love with you for longer than I knew. I just never realized it until you hit me on the head with David the Dentist.”

I laugh even as my head spins. Jaz is saying all I’ve ever wanted to hear and more. “I can’t believe I made up a fake boyfriend to prove to you that I’m an adult.”

“I’m glad you did. I was being an idiot.”

“You were,” I say.

“You’ve been here the whole time. Right in front of me.”

“I have.”

Jaz leans forward and traces the line of my jaw with his fingertips. “Am I being too much? Going too fast? You can tell me. I’m crap with women but I feel like I can be myself with you. I mean, I’ve always been myself with you. But if you’d rather we take things slowly, I can do that too. I only want—”

I press my fingers to his lips. “Jaz,” I say, my heart beating so fast it’s like a blur in my chest. “You’re not going too fast for me. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. Yes, I want to spend my life with you. Yes, I want to have children with you—someday. I mean, I’ve got a sanctuary to get started first.”

“Right, of course,” Jaz says.

“When we get home, we’ll tell everyone we’re together straightaway. That we’re serious about each other. That feels like a good place to start, right?”

“Right,” Jaz says, smiling so that his dimple pops. I kiss it because I can now. “How do you think Declan will take the news?” he asks warily.

“I don’t know.” I bite my lip. “I hope he’s not difficult about it.”

Jaz doesn’t say it, but I know we’re thinking the same thing—Declan is definitely going to be difficult about it.

Daisy appears at the table with more wine.

“Did you guys like the whites?” she asks.

“We did,” I say, gesturing to our empty glasses.

“I brought some reds for the last tasting,” she says, pouring them out and telling us a bit about each. “Enjoy.” She heads off to another table and Jaz and I raise our glasses.

“I’ve got a girlfriend,” he says, almost bemused.

I laugh. “I’ve got a boyfriend,” I say. “And he’s real!”

Jaz laughs too. “And definitely not a dentist.”

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