Page 87 of Contingently Yours
“Don’t need to. My heart is clear.”
Jesus. Who can argue with that?
Swallowing, I brush my nose against his and close my eyes so I don’t end up crying. “Yours always has been.”
“Ask me,” he whispers.
“I wanted to make it special and take you on a date.”
His brow furrows, making him look equal parts confused and annoyed. “You’re still going to take me on a date,” he insists.
Oh my God. He’s become a boyfriend monster already. I bark out a laugh, but he just stares at me as though he doesn’t understand what’s so amusing.
“Ask me.”
For Pete’s sake. He’s not even going to remember this tomorrow. I want fully alert Lucas to be the one to answer me, even though I like every side of him.
“Lucas…”
“Please?” he begs, sounding so sweet, I don’t know how anyone could deny him anything. “I don’t want to wait another minute.”
I’m not laughing anymore, not even on the inside. Because I know exactly how he feels. And it’s like Mason said the other day, we’ll do anything for the people we love.
“Lucas…will you be mine?”
His brow furrows in confusion. “I already am.”
I try not to laugh. I really do, but my head rocks back and my stomach shakes against his. I can barely catch my breath, but I have to reel it in when I see that crease in his brow and find him looking at me like he still doesn’t understand the joke. Stroking his beard, I murmur, “That must be why I love you.”
It’s not until I’ve pressed a kiss to his lips that it occurs to me what I’ve said. Shit. I was also going to save that for a more coherent Lucas. When I pull back, he’s smiling again.
“You’re in love with me?”
I think I said ‘love,’ which sounds like a level belowinlove. As I gaze at him, however, I know I’m absolutely at whatever the highest level is. I nod and give him another soft kiss.
“Yeah, Tufty. I’m in love with you.”
His arm squeezes me tightly, and his head ducks underneath my chin. “Then ask me,” he repeats.
Fucking Lucas and his boyfriend kick. I guess boyfriend status trumps love when you’re three sheets to the wind.
“Lucas Everette…will you be my boyfriend?”
“For real?” comes his muffled, disbelieving voice against my sternum. I guess some people just need to hear the words.
“For real. I want you to be my real-life boyfriend.”
He lets out a strange groan against my skin that sounds like it’s the equivalent of ‘aw shucks’ and then sighs a contented sound. I think I finally appeased him. Stroking his back, I smile into his soft hair and wait for his answer.
And I keep waiting.
His arm feels heavier on my ribcage than before, and I think his breathing has changed. Pulling my head back, I find his eyes closed.
He freaking fell asleep on me. Now I have to do this all over again tomorrow. I mean, I still plan to anyway. He’s getting that date. It’s just…he made all that fuss and thenleft me hanging. Drunken Tufty does not play fair. Judging by the little smile on his face, however, I’m pretty sure I know his answer. It’s a really good answer that sends me to sleep with a smile of my own.
EPILOGUE
Lucas
