Page 95 of Caper Crush
I rest my head on his shoulder. He puts his arm around me.
“I can’t believe I never even knew this existed,” I say.
“It’s amazing how many people have never heard of it.”
“I really like you,” I say.
William’s shoulders stiffen beneath my head. He squeezes my shoulder, but he doesn’t say anything.
The bird chirps again. A bee buzzes near us. Below, the Hudson meanders. The air is heavy with the scent of lilacs and other spring flowers.
Maybe he’s not ready to tell me in words how he feels about me yet. Maybe it was too soon for me to tell him.
He turns to face me. “How do you know?” His gaze is assessing.
“I feel happy when I’m with you,” I say.
“Is that it?” he asks. He sounds almost bitter.
“I feel loved. What do you feel when you’re with me?”
There’s a long pause. He shouldn’t have to think this hard.
“I feel happy too,” he says slowly.
“I’ll take that.” Another couple wanders up and they stand, embracing, looking over at the view. “And I’m sure sometimes you feel frustrated too.”
He snorts. “Yes.” He tilts my chin up to look directly at him. “I like you too. I like that you’re so open about your emotions.” He pulls me up from the bench. “Let’s head home.”
We clamber down the stone steps and then walk along a paved pathway.
“Was Itsuki the one who got engaged after you broke up?” I ask softly.
“Yes.” He stares straight ahead.
He shakes his head. I stay silent to encourage him to say more.
“I was about to propose. And then she got engaged within six months of our breakup. It was almost as if he was such a radical improvement from me that she didn’t want to risk losing him. And I’m still not sure why she didn’t think we worked when I thought we did.”
I don’t know what to say.
“I guess I don’t always trust that my feelings are accurate,” he says. “Even Juri. I didn’t want to live permanently in Japan, but I was torn because I liked her. But now I realize we wouldn’t have worked out.”
“I thought you broke up with her,” I say.
“It was more mutual, but I didn’t want to lead her on, given that I didn’t want to move to Japan permanently,” he says. “Who were you discussing Juri with?”
“I have my sources,” I say.
“Your sources are pretty obvious.”
“When Uncle Tony was warning me away from you, he may have revealed some details. But it was with the best of intentions.” I squeeze his hand. “Still, I like you, so I’m glad they didn’t realize what a mistake they made.” I stop and hug him.
“Okay, okay.” His lip curves up slightly, and then his hands grip my shoulders as he looks down at me. “A year ago, at that party where you screamed at Rex, I mentioned it to Uncle Takashi, and he said you always return to Rex. I’m worried your feelings may change.”
I stare at him. “I’m much happier with you than I was with Rex. I’m not returning to Rex this time.”
He pulls me back against him and hugs me tightly. I rest against his chest. His heartbeat pounds. Another hurdle cleared.
