Page 186 of We Can't Be Friends

I step outside, finding her leaning against the railing.

She’s beautiful—insideand out.

I love her, I’ve known that. Written into the stars as clear as tonight’s sky, I think I’minlove with her. Fallen like shooting star, I’ve fallen for her.

I think I’ve been searching for love that I forgot to give love.

Have I been too selfish in my pursuit and desires that I missed out on opportunities to show others how deeply I care for them? Do Liam and George know I love them? Does she?

Watching her hair blow in the breeze, the hem of her shirt dance across her tawny skin, I’m struck with reality.

Love doesn’t have to be loud. It doesn’t have to be public displays or social media worthy. It can be, but that’s not what I want anymore—I don’t think it’s ever been what she wants.

Instead the love I have, the love I want is the quiet kind—seeing, knowing, understanding, trusting, encouraging.

Chloe showed me that and in return I’ve been trying to give that to her.

“Dais.” I put a hand on her waist, and her shirt rises. Chloe shivers. “Is this my surprise?”

“No.” She stands on her tiptoes, covering my eyes and spinning us. “This is.” She drops her hands that I’m peppering with kisses.

In the corner of the balcony is a pallet of pillows and blankets. A string of lights hangs from the railing, but they are dim, illuminating the space in a faint glow.

“I know your birthday is next week, but tonight was projected to be the clearest sky to see stars.” My roaming gaze locks back on her face. Her gray eyes are brighter than the stars that are filling the sky. “You mentioned this was your favorite thing to do as a kid, and I. . . well, I wanted you to get to experience it as an adult. With me.” She bites her lip, but I tug it free. “You’ve been experiencing a lot of my favorite things with me. I thought it was time to switch it up. I hope this is okay.”

“It’s perfect.”

“Okay, good.”

My fingers circle her wrist, giving her a tug. Chloe tilts her head up, and I kiss her. She kisses me back, opening her mouth to let my tongue snake into hers. Her hands tug at the hair on the nape of my neck. My hands roaming her body.

Walking us backward, we move to the pillow pallet she created.

Our kiss finally breaks as we stumble, clumsily falling. “Happy early birthday, Pretty Boy.”

“Best present ever, Dais.” I kiss her. “Thank you.”

“I have one more surprise. Lay next to me.”

I roll off her, tucking her body into mine as I stretch out. Chloe pretzels our legs, tugging a blanket off the chair and over us.

“Should have added more layers to your pajamas tonight.”

“Never.” She taps my nose. “Do you see that star?” I point my hand. Chloe puts her hand over mine, adjusting the direction. “That one.”

“What about it?”

“It’s yours.” She moves my hand. “And that one is mine.”

“You bought me a star?”

“I bought us stars.” Our hands fall from the sky into our laps. “Now, even when you can’t see the stars, you will always be a part of them.”

“We,” I correct. “Why did you get yourself one too?”

She shrugs. “I didn’t want you to be alone.”

I roll onto my side, pressing my forehead against hers. “I’m never alone when I’m with you.”

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