Page 84 of Where We Belong

She snickers. “Well, goodnight, roomie.”

“Goodnight.”

I would’ve expected Lexie to maybe feel uncomfortable about sleeping so close to me, but with the way she shifts, then flops onto her belly with her face inches from mine, it’s clear she doesn’t.

And isn’t that something? The girl who used to jump every time I brushed her skin by mistake is now trusting me to fall asleep next to her, leaving herself unprotected and still deciding to do it. A girl who has so many fears but whodecidesto be fearless.

I want to be her when I grow up.

Which is probably what pushes me to whisper, “I know what you said earlier, but what if she’s right?”

Lexie lifts herself on her elbows, and even in the darkness, I can see fire burning through her irises. Even without saying who I’m talking about, she knows.

“I’m not some big catch, Lex. You were so embarrassed for me, you had to lie and say you were with me to make me look better, but the truth is, I’m a twenty-eight-year-old who lives in a small apartment next to my parents’ house in the middle of bumfuck, nowhere. That’s not the epitome of success.”

I don’t expect the whack to the chest she gives me. “Ow!”

“You’re so freaking dumb, Finloo. That means jack shit. Youaresuccessful. You manage a great business. You’re there for everyone around you. You are loved by so many people, and you’re a great freaking person.” She shakes her head. “Don’t you get it? It doesn’t get better than this.”

Once again, I’m speechless. I don’t have the mental capacity to process everything she’s just said. Mostly, though, what sticks to me is she didn’t mention that what I’d said wasn’t true. Iamstill in Sonder Hill, and Idolive in an apartment close to my childhood home, but what she said was that I could be valuable not despite of it, butbecauseof it.

“Are you going to get that into that thick skull of yours now?” she says.

I laugh. “I’ll try. Thanks, Lex.” The words feel too easy, too empty for everything I’m feeling, but they will have to do.

“Just telling the truth,” she says before letting her head drop back onto her pillow. “And for the record, I didn’t lie because I was embarrassed for you. I lied because I wanted to twist the knife into what a giant mistake she’s made.”

The biggest smile rips my face, and this time, I don’t stop myself when I lean forward and press a kiss to her temple. She’s so feral, and I don’t think I’ve ever loved anything more about someone.

“You’re the best, you know that?” I say.

“It’s what I’m aiming for, after all,” she says with a smile.

“Goodnight, Lex.”

“Goodnight, Finny.”

I wouldn’t bet my hand on it, but I’m pretty sure she snuggles closer to me once she falls asleep.

Chapter 31

Lexie

ThemomentIstepinside Finn’s apartment, I throw myself onto the couch, boneless.

Steps come from the kitchen, and then, “Well, hello to you too.”

My only answer is a groan.

Something clangs as if he’s dropped a metal bowl onto the coffee table. I can’t be sure because my face is currently crushed against his suede decorative pillow.

“What’s up with you?” he asks, laughing.

“I’m dead.”

“Pretty sure you’re not.”

“Yes, I am.” I force myself to flip my head sideways so I can see him. He’s dressed in gray sweatpants and the thinnest white T-shirt known to man, his hair longer than it’s ever been since we met. There are two patches of baldness, and I love how he doesn’t seem to give a shit about them. He’s hot no matter what his hair looks like, and he seems to have slowly come to realize it. “This afternoon’s practice has killed me.”

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