Page 60 of A Fowl Match

“Love you too, Darcy. I’m going right now.”

“Good girl. I hope I get an invitation to the wedding.”

I chuckle. Too soon for that, but let’s hope he forgives me first.

Chapter 44

Violet

ThedrivetoDustin’splace is anxiety ridden. My palms are sweaty, I’m itching all over and I know that this is long overdue. Now that I’ve stopped blaming myself for things that weren't my fault I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted from me. I need to apologize to him for everything I said. It’s the last bit of weight holding me back. I miss him.

I knock on his door. I’m full of anxiety and it’s like déjà vu all over again. It feels like it was only yesterday when I was knocking on his door to stay the night. In reality it's been a week.

I hear him pause the TV and walk to the door. He opens the door slowly looking as upset as I do. His stubble has grown so much since I’ve seen him last. I don’t know what I was thinking he was going to do, but it wasn’t this. He lifts me up into his arms and spins me around in a fast circle, then proceeds to tickle my armpit. I start laughing because I can’t control it. The pressure against my armpit sends me into a fit of giggles.

“What are you doing? You’re crushing your gift.”

“I missed your smile so much I had to do something about it.” I was so stupid. He is the best thing I ever had, and I ran away. Like I ran away from everything else that was too hard to face. But this time I’m going to stay. That’s if he wants me to stay.

“I forgive you,” he says and kisses me softly on the lips.

What?

I am in disbelief.

“I had this whole speech prepared to beg you to forgive me. I even wrote you a letter,” I say as he places me down.

“I already know you didn’t mean it when you said you didn’t love me.”

“You do? How would you know that?”

“You were looking at your feet.”

“And?”

“Every time you lie, or you are being shy you look at your feet.” He sighs, looking at me. “And you weren't being shy.”

“I didn’t even realize I did that. Will you please accept your gift?”

“Yes, I would love to.” He tugs me to sit on his couch with him.

“Here.” I place a small snake plant in his arms.

“What’s this?” He studies the plant and his eyebrows go up when he notices why it’s so special. “Is thisthepot?”

“Yes, it's the one I hit you in the head with when we first met. I still feel bad about that.”

“You saved it…” His voice trails off. “I wouldn't change a thing about that day. When you hit me in the head it was a sign to wake up and realize what was right in front of me. And that was you.”

“You’re going to make me cry.”

“Don’t cry.” He brushes his thumb against the side of my face. “No more crying, only laughing. Promise me.”

“I can’t make any promises but at least let me tell you what the letter said.” I unfold the piece of paper and read it aloud, “I love you Dustin Cole Rhett. I’ve never loved someone as muchas I love you. You make my heart beat so fast I’m afraid it might come right out of my chest. I love the way you can joke with me and the way it feels to be snuggled up against you. I love the way you constantly brush hair out of my eyes; it makes me feel butterflies every single time. I love the way you say positive affirmations to chickens. I love the way you bought a kitten that’s named Sardine just because he looked at you the way Puss in Boots does toShrek. I love that you help your grandparents and risk your life to set up a phone connection for them because you want them to be able to call someone if anything goes wrong. (Fingers crossed your grandfather doesn’t find out you put it up there.) I love you so much. And I’m sorry for making you feel that I didn’t. When I said we were afowl matchI was so wrong. We are aneggs-cellentmatch. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Oh, Violet. There’s nothing to forgive. I never blamed you for anything.” He pulls me in tighter against his chest. Dustin kisses me tenderly with so much passion it makes my heart ache. “I love you too.”

This is where I belong. Safe in his arms. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here with him by my side.

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