Page 157 of The Nicest Thing
"Is it weird to be jealous of fictional characters?"
I was only partly kidding this time.
"I know you love me, Rose," I said."But I hope I can measure up to the heroes in your books."
"They're all you," she said in a hushed whisper, and I got lost in the warm depth of her eyes."Even the ones I wrote before we met.Every single one.They're all you, Finn.You're everything I ever wanted."
My heart felt like it might fly out of my chest.
"I love you, Finn O'Brien."
"I love you, my Rose.Now and forever."
I kissed her, and she kissed me.
I knew we were finally on the same page.It took us a while to get there, but it was worth it. I was in love with my best friend.She loved me back.My parents had experienced this.My brothers had too, and I knew my sister would at some point.Everyone in the world should get a chance at this.But I was grateful because I knew that not everyone did, and what I had with Rose was rare.As we kissed, it went through my mind again: This is what true love feels like.And she was always my endgame.
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