Page 112 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

“I do feel the same.”

I can’t utter a word, staring at him for long seconds.

It’s as though I’m waiting for him to sayGotchaand take it back at any moment.

A sigh falls from his lips. “I like you, Lacey.”

What.

Is.

Happening.

“I like you so fucking much it’s messing with my head.”

Am I hallucinating, or is the guy I likeseriouslytelling me that he likes me back?

“I didn’t come up to you last nightbecause I couldn’t handle how muchI wanted to.Because from the moment you walked into that party, all I could think about was kissing you and touching you and… Fuck, Lacey, this has never happened to me before. I can’t begin to wrap my head around the way I feel about you.”

Oh my God.

Those are the only words that come to mind right now.

His heartfelt declaration brings tears to my eyes, my chest bursting with emotion.

“I’m such a dick for telling the guys I didn’t like you. I should’ve owned up to my shit, but I wasn’t ready to admit tomyselfthat you’ve got me wrapped around your little finger, let alone admit it to them. So, I wussed out. And I’m sorry. I’m really sorry I let this thing between us scare me.”

I’m overwhelmed with emotions, my mind racing with questions I’m scared he won’t know how to answer.

“Wait, so… what does that mean? Does that mean you want us to date casually? I know you don’t do serious relationships and?—”

“I didn’t.”

My stomach flutters.

TJ scoots over to my side of the hot tub, sitting right next to me and searching my gaze. He’s so close now it’s impossible to diffuse the tension escalating between us. I let my legs fall, releasing them from their curled-up position, and TJ’s hand immediately locks around my thigh, sending jolts of desire to the sweet spot between my legs.

“I didn’t do serious relationships.Pasttense. People change. You’re living proof of that.”

He’s right.

If anyone knows about change, it’s me. I’ve grown so much in the past year and a half, the girl I used to be wouldn’t recognize the woman I am today.

“So, to answer your question,no, I have no fucking intention of keeping this thing casual.”

Did he just…

A smile lifts the corner of my mouth. “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend, Jacobs?”

“I’m not asking you anything. I’m telling you that we’re dating, which makes you my girlfriend.”

I laugh. “Don’t I have a say in the matter?”

He shrugs, a sly smile dancing on his lips. “Nah. As far as I’m concerned, you were mine from the moment you let me finger you in the locker room.”

I could resist and tell him that’s not how relationships work, but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Okay then” is all I say.

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