Page 136 of Rewind It Back

“Shit.” Realization dawns on his handsome but bruised face. “I didn’t think of it like that. I mean, I’ve loved you since I was twelve. I thought that was another one of those unspoken things.”

I can’t help but laugh because, wow, that feels good to hear after a year apart. “This is something that should maybe be spoken out loud.”

“Well, then.” He takes my hand, pulling me towards him. With my long dress gathering above my knees, I straddle his lap, putting us face to face. “I love you, Hallie Hart. I aminlove with you, though I hope that doesn’t come as a surprise. Because if so, I’ve been doing something wrong all these years.”

I shake my head, smiling. “No, you’ve been doing it all right. I’ve just been missing you, and it’s nice to hear it said.”

“God, you have no idea how lonely I’ve been without you.”

“So have I.”

“We’re not hiding this anymore. I’m done pretending like we haven’t planned out our entire future. I’m done acting like you’re not mine.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders, smiling against his lips. “But I am yours.”

“Damn right, you are.”

“Mmm.” I teasingly kiss along his jaw. “And you’re mine.”

“Always, Hal.”

“Rio?”

“Hmm?” he asks, lips dotting a path of kisses along my collarbone.

“I love you too.”

I feel him smile against my skin before he pulls back so I can see it. “Stay with me tonight?”

I quickly agree. “Your room or mine?”

“Mine.” He pauses for a moment, giving the words a chance to sink in. “My parents aren’t home.”

Oh.Oh.

I search his face, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over the way this boy looks at me. He looks like he loves me and has since the first day he saw me. I understand that sentiment all too well.

“Only if you want to,” he continues. “We can wait—”

“No,” I quickly disagree. “I don’t want to wait any longer.”

His smile turns up before he leans in and presses his lips to mine softly. We take our time, kissing for a long while, moving together.

“Come with me,” he whispers against my mouth.

He helps me stand from his lap before he takes my hand and walks me back to his bedroom window, letting me go through first.

I’ve been in his room countless times over the years but tonight, everything feels different. Bigger. More charged.

He puts on some music and the sound helps drown out the pounding beat of my heart.

Rio crosses the room and locks his door before leaning back on it as he watches me move around his room, nervously checking out things I’ve already seen a thousand times.

Eventually, my eyes track back to him, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen his eyes so heated.

“I love that dress on you, baby.”

“Thank you. It’s—”

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