Page 138 of Any Second Now
“I’ve had no idea what I’m doing since the divorce.” I shrug. “Actually, since a year ago, when I found out about Jacob’s issues.”
Atticus reaches out his hands and I immediately uncross my arms and put my hands in his. I sigh at the contact.
“You showed up and took my breath away.” He licks his lips and glances at my mouth. “And I have a confession. The dating coach thing was a sham. I never wanted to ask out the bookstore woman. I never even noticed her… it was just a convenient excuse to get you to hang out with me.”
I turn my hand until my fingers loop into his. It’s like a live wire is connecting us, and I close my eyes to bask in its energy.
“I only fell more in love with you when we watched the zombie movies together.”
My eyes fly open.
“What did you say?” I whisper.
He blinks a hundred times and looks confused, then appears to replay the last thing he said in his head. Atticus’s eyes widen as he hears it.
Atticus is in love with me? Fireworks brighter than the ones on the fourth of July explode in my heart. Am I going to get what I want more than anything in the world?
Because it’s Atticus. I’m sure of that now.
“Okay, I got there quicker than I meant to.” Atticus squeezes my hands. “I’m in love with you, Raleigh Hayes. I’ve probably been in love with you since college. Since that first time I saw you and puked in the bushes outside of your apartment building. But if that didn’t do it, it was the zombie movies. Or at the very least, our doomed kayak adventures. Learning to do cross-stitch from you. Hanging out with Megghen. Just… being with you.”
All the breath has disappeared from my body.
Atticus loves me. He lovesme.
His brow furrows and I need to say something back immediately.
I bite my lip and get lost in his green eyes.
CHAPTER 30
Best Places to Kayak
ATTICUS
Raleigh doesn’t know what to say.
If the response wasn’t immediately obvious to her, I’d say this is not going to go in the direction I was hoping for.
I feel like I’m going to pass out.
Raleigh broke up with me and sent me away. She told me what she wanted—and it isn’t me. So what am I doing here?
I’m clearing my heart.
Yeah, that’s right. Telling her how I feel and doing everything I can to get her to stay with me. Tobewith me. And if it doesn’t work, I’ll know I tried.
She doesn’t even look conflicted. I can’t read her right now. Is she so sure of her decision to break up with me and leave?
“You don’t have to say anything,” I whisper and squeeze her hands. At least she’s still touching me. At least we’re connecting in this circle of electricity and sparks and… whatever this beautiful thing is between us. Even if she’s not conflicted about her decision, she’s gotta still feel this.
“I want to.” She drops both my hands and covers her face for abeat, then runs her fingers through her wispy hair. “I need to explain to you.”
Shit. Explain what?
This woman is so beautiful. So real. Standing there in her leggings and hooded sweatshirt. This is the woman I want to be with. She’s perfect for me.
Raleigh is my person.
