Page 165 of Overdue I Love You's
They say love is the biggest crime you could commit.
Dean would beg to differ. The biggest crime he committed was letting Nova Rivera think he deserved better from her.
He stared at her side profile, jealous of the wind scandalously pulling strands of hair away from her face. She had a strength he prayed for whenever she cuddled closer to him or traced the outlines of his face. Dean never understood what Nova saw in him, but he’d be a fool to question it.
“Cheese fondue or chocolate fountain?” His muscles ached to pull her closer, but she was close enough as is. Folded against his side, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck when it got too cold.It’s not enough. He wanted her inside and attached to the layers of his skin, to feel her in every beating part that existed.
Whenever she was far, he couldn’t breathe.
The box in his pocket dug into him.
Nova bore sentimental habits. Everytoy theatreinspired by thebooks she read were displayed in both of their homes. When he found out she loved reading but wasn’t able to get through books without a migraine—he knew what he wanted to do. Only Nova would give him a chance to use his skills of woodworking again.
“Chocolate fountain,” he mumbles in her hair.
She laughed and it confiscated his free will.
“I thought you’d say cheese fondue,” Nova pouts. “Guess I don’t know you that well.”
“You do,” he pushes gently.Better than anyone.
Wind chimes rang in the back. A familiar calf hobbled over to them an hour earlier. Lottie perched herself on Dean’s lap and looked up with wide eyes. His heart clenched at the sight of her. Despite Gabriel sending videos of her shenanigans, he missed her.
Nova mindlessly rubbed a hand over Lottie’s back. “Question,” she says.
Dean peered out into the mountains. He understood the high of climbing, why people risk their lives to see a view from the tallest peak—because when he looked at Nova, he wanted to go higher and higher, see her from all angles, every flaw, every scar, every soon-to-be wound, and let his whispers ofI love youerase all of her bad memories.
“Answer,” his voice deepened.
She gave him a look he wanted to kiss. But then, Dean always wanted to kiss her.
“Don’t you think it’s weird we said I love you only after a month of… dating?”
It made sense for Nova to ask these questions near their first anniversary. She was a thinker and often went quiet with her thoughts. Dean underestimated her ability to peel apart his answers and stew on them by herself. Their first fight as a couple kept him up at night. She didn’t eat, didn’t speak to anyone, and went on with her dayscomatose. He understood that’s what overthinkers were like. They created scenarios in their head, some for the better, but often for the worst—and decided on conclusions themselves.
Old habits die hard.Dean would make sure to bury those habits when they finally left Nova alone.
“No,” he said. Nova’s cheeks puffed out, thinking. “Love’s not an alarm clock that’ll go off at a time you set. It does its own thing.”
“Are you ever terrified of us not lasting forever?”
He’dmake sure they never last less than eternity.
Dean shook his head. “Are you?”
She was good at seeing beneath the surface. “With you, never.”
The full conviction in her throat told him the truth. All it took was to hold her hand for Nova to cling on with every ounce of love she had.
The sun began flickering behind the clouds, welcoming another morning full of laughter. All their loved ones were here, taking over the living room with mattresses, blankets, and late-night conversations. He had a hard time getting Nova out of there when Sunny, Kat, and Hina wanted her to stay with them. It was only when they started snoring, he hooked an arm under her head and knees—taking her out. Dean would never forget Nova’sMaandTataygetting on the ground with him—hugging him—when he asked for their daughter’s hand. He’d never forget Rosa’s threats or Nadine’s knowing smile when they caught him carrying Nova outside.
It’s time.
Dean shifted to take the box out.
Lottie chortled then moved to Nova’s lap.
She watched him turn towards her.
