Page 167 of Forever To Me

I should start. I know I should. I asked her here, after all.But my mouth doesn’t seem to want to work. The words are caught in my throat. I'm afraid to mess this up even more.

How do I even begin to explain what she means to me? That I wake up thinking about her, go to sleep thinking about her, and every single moment in between feels lost without herin it? That she’s in every song I write, every melody that’s ever meant something to me? That I love her so much it scares the hell out of me?

Finally, she sighs. “Well? You gonna say something, or did you just bring me here for a staring contest?”

My lips twitch, just barely, but then I see the way she grips her arms like she’s bracing for more hurt, and it damn near shreds me.

I exhale, stepping forward. “I screwed up.”

Her jaw tightens.

“I should’ve believed you and trusted you.” I run a hand down my face. “I was a damn idiot, Violet.”

She crosses her arms tighter. “You were.”

I nod, taking the hit. I deserve it. “I watched the video.”

She stiffens.

“The one of us at The Black Dog.” My throat closes up just thinking about it. “I saw how you looked at me. How I looked at you.”

Her breath catches, but she stays quiet. So, I keep going.

“And then I saw you at the fundraiser. And it—” I break off, shaking my headbecause I can’t even put it into words. It gutted me seeing her so wrecked singing our song.

Because seeing her up there, singing alone, knowing I should’ve been beside her? It devastated me. It was like watching the best part of my life slip away, and I was too damn stupid to grab it before it was gone.

“I should’ve been there with you. Instead, I was losing my damn mind over you.”

Her lips part, her breath hitches, and I know I’m getting through to her.

I step closer, carefully, watching her expression. “I don’t just love you, Violet.”

She blinks, holding her breath.

I take another step, so close I can see the freckles dusting her nose, the way her lashes flutter just slightly when I move in.

I speak softly, letting the emotion carry the weight of my words. “I love you like my heart always knew you were the one. Like my soul didn’t settle until it found yours.” I shake my head, my voice thick with meaning. “I love you like you’re the song I’ve been humming my whole life without knowing the words.”

She inhales sharply, her hand lifting like she wants to touch me but isn’t sure if she should.

I give her that moment, that choice,because if she’s not ready, I won’t push.

Because I shift closer, we both move at the same time.

And our foreheads slam together so hard I actually see stars.

“SHIT—”

Violet yelps, staggering back, clutching her face and huffs. “Are you kidding me? That was supposed to be our sexy moment.”

I stumble too, rubbing my forehead. “What the hell was that? Did we just…give each other concussions?”

She glares through watery eyes. “Unreal. The first time we kiss again and we headbutt like two wild goats.”

I bite back a laugh, even though my damn skull is throbbing. “You did jump me.”

She smacks my chest. “Because you were taking too long with your swoony monologue!”

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