Page 136 of Just One Season
I don’t talk about fake dating. Not sure we need the reporters to put that in their articles. And god knows it was only fake for the shortest moment.
I take another few steps, my thighs feeling like jelly, my heart racing.
Lucy doesn’t say anything but bites her bottom lip in a move that makes me want to kiss her until she can’t breathe.
“I want to start over. With dinner. Will you go out with me? I mean, can I take you out? Because I’m not sure if you know this, but I really like you.” I glance at the row of Blizzard staff, who are staring at me wide-eyed, then at the journalists, who are looking way more lively than before. “I really like her.”
Lucy stands but stays cemented in place. Her face turns darker pink beneath those adorable freckles.
“Actually, I more than like you. I’m in love with you.”
There are literal gasps from the press, plus a few chuckles. Phones are raised, and I’m sure about a billion photos and videos are being taken. They’ll definitely end up all over the internet.
“Kellen,” Lucy whispers and steps forward.
“Please know that every moment we’ve spent together since you got here last September has been incredible. And I know you might leave—that you’re most likely going to leave—but I don’t want to waste another minute without you.”
Lucy’s chest heaves up and down and she presses her lips together.
“I love you,” I say. “I want you to stay here in Fort Collins, but even if you can’t, I still want to be with you. Whatever pieces of you you’ll let me have, I want them all. I want you. And MBM, if you end up keeping him. I want you to be a part of my life, and Ava’s life. Because she loves you too.”
Lucy lets out a huff of a laugh when I mention her dog and crinkles her forehead when I mention Ava.
I wish she’d run down the aisle and leap into my arms. Wouldn’t she do that if she felt the same way? But I’m asking too much of her. I know it.
I can’t control how she reacts. I can only control what I say and howIreact. I take three more steps forward, and now we’re a few feet apart.
“I know it’s complicated. We can figure out all the details later. I’d also like to note that the—” I lower my voice. “—the KFDPC completely approves of this. They even voted on it.”
Lucy laughs, and the sound is the sweetest to my ears.
There’s some murmuring in the crowd.
Meh, they won’t figure that out.
Lucy’s laugh tapers off, and she’s staringat me intensely, tugging at the waist of her dress. She’s thinking. Considering. She swallows, and I watch the ripple of her smooth throat.
Paul scoffs loudly, but when I glance over, he’s not glaring at me, but instead looking mildly amused.
I turn back to Lucy.
CHAPTER 39
One, Two, Three
LUCY
Kellen’s in love with me?
Shock has frozen every muscle in my body, including my vocal cords. I’m filled with all the feelings. Love. Joy. Happiness.
But also much worse ones.
Sadness. Desperation. Because what good can possibly come of this?
Kellen Bassey just made a literal formal announcement of his love for me. With an audience of so many people. Journalists! And now he’s stopped right in front of me. Cautious, his hands are out like he’s approaching a skittish puppy.
“I know you’ve had a lifetime of hurt from your father.” He says this in a low voice, just for me. “And your ex-fiancé is an absolute piece of garbage. He was the stupidest man on the face of this planet to lose you.”
