Page 76 of If My Wishes Came True
“But that summer before I started college, I had this unforgettable dream about the most beautiful woman. We kissed, and it felt so real, I was convinced it was a premonition.” He lets out an uneasy laugh. “And if you thinkthatsounds crazy, wait until you hear the rest.”
I nod, still nervous, unsure where he’s going with this.
“When I got to Dartmouth, I looked for her everywhere. I thought for sure she’d be in one of my classes, or living in the same dorm. I thought we’d run into each other, and sparks would fly—and instantly I’d know it was her. I waited an entire year. I lifted weights a lot, to pass the time. That’s where thesemuscles came from. Then my acne cleared up, and I started getting attention from girls…and finally I caved and took Amanda Meyer out on a date. She was my first girlfriend.
“I’ve had several more since then. But I never forgot the woman I kissed in that dream. I couldn’t forget her, because I kept dreaming of her, year after year. Bright blonde hair. Gorgeous olive-green eyes?—”
My breath hitches.
“Velvety pink lips. Petite.”
I bring my hand to my mouth.
“That’s why I looked at you the way I did when we first met,” Charlie continues, his lip quivering. “It’s because I already knew you, Jenna. You are literally the woman of my dreams.”
As tears start streaming down my face, Charlie takes my hands in his. “I can’t explain it, but now I know it’s true. The look in my eyes that you painted? That’s love. I must have fallen in love with you in my dreams. And it’s taken all I have not to tell you how I feel. I almost slipped a few times?—”
I knew it.
“But I’m not holding back anymore. I love you, Jenna Andersen.”
I throw my arms around him and sob into his neck. His warm tears fall on my shoulder, too.
I want nothing more than to tell him what he’s longing to hear in return—but there’s something he needs to see first.
I unwind myself from Charlie and wipe the tears from his cheeks. “Come with me,” I say, grinning.
I race to my bedroom, plop down on the bed, and motion for my boyfriend to sit next to me. When hedoes, my heart swells. He’s the same sweet, smart, hot-as-hell Charlie he’s always been—but now I can addin love with meto the list.
Then I open the drawer of my nightstand and hand him my journal.
“This is the diary I kept in high school,” I explain while the notebook’s still closed on his lap. “Writing felt like a chore because of my dyslexia, so I drew instead. Take a look.”
Charlie examines the first page and smiles. But while looking at the next two, his forehead crinkles. And halfway through, he’s stunned. Finally, he turns to me wide-eyed and says, “This is us.”
“I can’t explain it either,” I say with a shrug. “But this can’t be a coincidence, right? Do you really think we’re…”
I don’t know how to finish my thought without sounding like I’ve watched one too many romantic comedies.
“Meant to be?” Charlie offers.
I nod.
He moves my journal to the nightstand, then leans me back onto the bed and shifts on top of me. “Fuck yeah, I do.”
Beaming, I take him in my arms and, for the briefest moment, reflect on the three little words I’m about to say—and how very long it’s been since I’ve uttered them to a man. And how much more significant they feel, now that I’m saying them to my soulmate.
“I love you, Charlie,” I whisper, my heart beating wildly against his.
“I love you so much, Jenna.” His lips brush mine over and over again, and I can’t stop smiling.
“How much?” I tease, wrapping my legs around him.
His lip quirks. “You want me to show you…don’t you.”
I nod, desire flushing my skin as Charlie takes off every stitch of my clothing and makes his way down to kiss between my thighs. He works his tongue expertly, switching up the pressure and intensity and driving me absolutely batshit crazy, in the best possible way.
“Don’t come yet,” he tells me when my breaths start getting shorter and faster.
