Page 116 of Overdue I Love You's
His brows pull inwards. Dean studies me. His eyes fixating on every edge of expression at inhuman speed. Over and over until he stops on my eyes.
Wind rushes through at the same time Dean breathes out.
Gone is the anguish and pain. What lies is a tender definition of Dean Vuk.
“Can I…” He takes a step forward. “Can I hug you?”
I let out a watery laugh. “I’d like that.”
Dean puts all of him into the hug. There’s no room to breathe or think. It’s me and him on a busy street, people shouldering and bumping into us. But it’s me and him. Me and Dean. Nova and Dean.Us.
In a faraway land somewhere, a book flips open to a blank pageand the story of us begins unfolding. Gold, magical ink writes his name next to mine, leaving a permanent stain in history.
Before pulling apart, Dean’s lips press against my temple.
“You realize that we’re still in public right?” I lean back with a smile.
“Don’t care,” he continues pressing kisses down to my cheek. His lips linger there.
“Stop that,” my breath hitches. He gazes up. Hooded, dark.Carefree.
“People are looking.”
“Lovebird, I don’t care.”
I’m laughing now. “I don’t want people thinking I have you wrapped around my finger and start talking about toxic femininity.”
“Toxic femininity,” He pulls away. “Is that real?”
I smile, taking some well-needed air. “Hi, I’m toxic femininity. I like men that are docile enough to manipulate. Care to spend an evening with me and my gaslighting to see if you actually want to stay?”
He shakes his head, grumbling under his breath about me beingadorable. I blush at that. A large group pushes us to start walking and we do.
“Since when has kissing my woman’s hand considered toxic?” He raises a brow.
“Since—” Hold on a minute. Someone ahead glares over their shoulder when my toes nudge their heel out of their shoe. I apologize profusely before whipping my head to look at Dean. “Yourwoman?”
He wraps an arm over my shoulder. “Take your time.” He’s smirking. Evil. Villainous.Sexyashell.
“You called me… You just…Stopit.” I cup my heated cheeks.
“Who knew Nova Rivera could blush over being called mywoman.” Blushing isn’t the right word. I’m erupting with magma.
“Shut up.” Before I can shove him, he closes in on me. His palm brands against my back and pulls me closer to him.
He lifts a hand to cup my cheek. Dean traces my lips with the pad of his thumb.
“I’m sure you could find ways to make me,” he rasps.
And that shutsmeup.
Dean’s smile makes my insides do circus flips.
It takes a minute for my heart to deflate into its regular shape. The image of him, his deep yet hidden dimple, all come to me as capitalism came to society. All I can do is accept and adapt.
“If I knew all it would take was for me to say I like you for you to open up, I would’ve done it sooner.” I say.
“Do you want me to stop?” He pulls away like my skin burns him.
