Page 111 of The Accidental Text

I pull my face back so I can see him, still not believing he’s here. He reaches up and rubs one of my tears away with his thumb.

“Did you mean what you said … in your text?”

He smiles. “I did. Every word.”

“Good,” I say. “Because I’m falling for you too.”

Chase doesn’t hesitate; his lips find mine. There’s no precursor, no heated glance, no eyes searching my face beforehand. No tiptoeing or testing the waters. It’s his lips on mine, and it’s full of hunger, and wanting, and needing. It’s all the many things we want to say but aren’t ready to say yet. And I feel it all as his mouth parts mine and the kiss deepens.

We are all hands and lips and tongues up against my car. And it’s, hands down, the best kiss I’ve ever had. The most passionate kiss I’ve ever felt. I’m not falling for Chase—I’ve already fallen.

The kisses start to change into something more slow and tender, and then Chase pulls his head back and leans his forehead against mine. We’re both out of breath, both feeling the heat from this midmorning desert air.

“That was …”

“Yeah,” I finish. There are no words, really.

He pulls away and looks at me. I smile at him and I know: this is it.Heis it. All I’ve ever wanted and needed. The stranger who was on the other end of my texts. This man. Chase.

I think he feels it, too, because now we’re both smiling, and hugging, and kissing, and laughing.

It’s the best feeling in the world.

Epilogue

May

Chase:London is boring without you

Maggie:Phoenix is even more boring. I didn’t think it was possible.

June

Chase:Two weeks until you get here. Can’t wait.

Maggie:Me either. Saw Oscar today. He told me to tell you hi and that he likes me better than you.

July

Maggie:Phoenix is a million degrees. I should have never left London. I miss you so much.

Chase:I’m sorry … who is this?

August

Chase:This meeting could be the end of me. You can have Oscar if something happens.

Maggie:Yes! I have this in writing. This would stand up in court, right?

September

Maggie:Next week!! I can’t wait.

Chase:What’s next week? Oh, right. Bad news. I’ll be in Phoenix, but Oscar has already filled up my schedule with belly scratches, walks, and Frisbee throwing. Sorry.

October

Chase:That was a sexy picture—can you send me more?

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