Page 20 of Summer Waves

“It makes me happy and relieved,” I admitted with a smile.

“Relieved?” His eyebrow rose.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings about us. So to hear that your feelings are just as deep lifts a weight off my chest.”

“So, I haven’t scared you off?” There was a slight hesitation in his voice.

“No.” I shook my head “I’m glad you told me.”

“I keep waiting for the catch, Bethany,” Giovanni said, making me laugh.

“There’s no catch, Giovanni,” I caressed his face with my free hand and smiled. “I…”

Nerves rushed through me. It was only fair that I tell him how I felt but wasn’t it still too soon for my confession? My brain was going a million miles per minute with how I should respond. Each time I opened my mouth, I quickly closed it out of fear.

“Bethany,” Giovanni gained my attention. “You’re scaring the hell out of me, beautiful.” He laughed weakly.

“I love you, too,” I blurted.

Chapter Ten

Giovanni

Bethany’s words were music to my ears. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.

“You do?” I asked shell shocked.

“Yes. I do,” she smiled.

“Even though it’s only been a few days?” I chuckled nervously.

Truth was, I wanted to kick myself in the ass for asking. I risked the chance of snapping her to the reality of how short of time we had known each other. I was risking the chance of her taking back her words.

“I know it’s not normal…” she whispered. “I mean, I’ve seen it in movies and read it in books, but I never thought I’d fall in love… or at least not so quick.”

She sighed.

“But I did. I fell hopelessly in love with you.” She looked up at me and smiled.

If I hadn’t already been, I would have fallen in love with her at that moment.

“Can I keep you?” I asked, stroking my finger down the side of her face.

“Of course,” she nodded and her cheeks reddened. “Forever… if you’d like.”

“Sweetheart, I don’t think even forever is long enough,” I smiled and she bashfully bit her bottom lip. “I want you in this lifetime and the next. And then the one after that.”

“I’d like that,” she giggled.

“Bethany Nez I love you beyond words.” I kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. “I’m going to give you my all and do my best to always make you happy.”

She laughed softly.

“What’s so funny?” I chuckled.

“You sounded like you were reading wedding vows,” she giggled.

“Not quite.” I took a deep breath. “I do believe I was proposing to you... in my own way.”

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