Page 145 of All The Happily Ever Afters

“I couldn’t tell you because A, it’s cheesy and B, I didn’t think I could have you.”

“Just say the word, and I’ll move here. I’m ready to be with you, Olivia, I don’t think I can fathom not being able to see you again.”

“Same,” she breathes the single word.

“That’s a yes? You want this? You want me?”

“All of you.” She nods, quickly and vigorously. Tears make her hazel eyes glassy. “I want all of you too.”

Thank fuck.

I can’t describe the relief, immediate and all consuming. With one arm scooping around the small of her back and the other spearing into her hair, I kiss her, the woman I love, with everything I have.

“I love you, Olivia,” I tell her for the first time, solidifying what we have. What we’ve had all this time but neither of us was willing to risk bringing it to life.

“I love you too,” she whispers against my lips, in the warm air between us. “You don’t have to leave do you?”

“I took two weeks off to figure all this out. I want to figure it out with you. I told Autumn. She knows.”

“She does?” her eyes are full of shock. It’s comical really.

“You can’t be mad; I swore her to secrecy.” There’s a smirk on my lips and before she can answer, I kiss her again. And again.

She nuzzles her nose against mine, before looking up through her thick lashes. “Two weeks to figure it all out?”

“Yeah, and if we need more time, I’ll make it. I want us. More than anything, I know I need you.”

“I figured it out. Move in with me and let’s spend two weeks in bed.” She says it so seriously, yet easily. As if it’s so simple and I chuckle, planting a kiss on her forehead that makes her smile. She has the most beautiful smile.

“We can start with me helping take your luggage inside,” I offer and she nods watching me while I gather her things and she opens the door. The moment it closes, she’s on me, her arms wrapping around me with a fierceness. Dropping the bags to the floor, I hold her back.

“I thought… I thought we weren’t going to get this,” she whispers and before I can ask what she means, she kisses me, standing in my arms on her tip toes. “You make me happy andI don’t want to be without you.” She speaks so quietly, I barely hear her.

“Same,” I tell her, brushing her hair back and waiting for her to finally look up at me.

“I’ve never been the girl for fairytales, but I want a happily ever after with you.”

Resting my forehead against hers, all I can focus on is the warmth in my chest. Everything about this, abouther, feels right.

“You can say it again,” she tells me. “Tell me you love me again.”

“I love you Olivia. I want to love you forever.”

“I love you too.”

JUST A LITTLE CRUSH

JUST A LITTLE CRUSH

By Willow Winters & Amelia Wilde

I had to convince myself it was just a little flirtation between us.

When I first met her at the bar, she was already taken.

She was my younger sister’s friend from college who was moving to our small town after graduation. Smart and beautiful, with a smile that made me feel things I’d never felt before, I was hooked instantly. My pulse would race and I found myself eager to make her laugh, to have her brush against me, even if it was only friendly flirtation. Before I knew it, I turned into some schoolboy with puppy love just at the sight of her.

I thought: this feeling won’t last. I shouldn’t be thinking about settling down. She’s just a passing fascination.

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