Page 84 of Without a Doubt

“We should probably change,” I say.

He runs his hands up my back. “We will eventually. I just got comfortable.”

I snuggle into him, closing my eyes instead of watching the sports highlights.

“Let me see a hand,” Emerson requests. I give him one by lifting it above my head. Since his shoulders are leaning against the armrest, he's propped up some and I'm a bit low on his chest. I feel both his hands grab mine and he begins to massage it.

I smile. “You didn't forget.”

“I don't forget anything where you're involved.”

“Oh, now you're just trying to charm me.”

“Always,” he agrees. I roll my eyes. Before I can come up with some retort, his chest rises and falls with a deep breath. “I want to say something to you and I want you to take it. Don't analyze me for hidden or double meanings. Listen and accept it.”

Oh goodness. Is it going to be good or bad? I can't tell. He releases my hand and I shift to look up at him. He looks happy. His grief has been present in his blue eyes, but now, there's a happy glint dominating them. So, something good.

“First, you should know this is something I realized before now, before this past week happened. I've wanted to tell you and the reason I'm telling you now is because I need to say it, I need to tell you, and I need you to know it.”

“Will you tell me already? I feel like I'm getting a surprise or something and you're teasing me.” But this feels so much bigger and my impatience is getting the best of me because of it.

Emerson laughs and gives me the smile I love so much. “I love you.”

I stare at him, waiting for him to say something else when what he said hits me. “What?” I breathe. “Are you sure?” I blurt out.

He grins. “I'm sure, Eva.”

“Oh, okay. Wow.” I'm overwhelmed by the gravity of his words. My heart is about to beat it's way right out of my chest and into his, so it can cuddle with his heart. I want to hug him, squeeze him, and maybe even squeal with excitement, but it's like I'm stuck on the processing part.

“You don't—” he begins, but I interrupt him, knowing what he's going to say.

“I love you, too.” I pull myself up to meet his mouth. Until he said it, I didn't realize how badly I've wanted to hear him say it, to know how he feels, and if it included the massive four-letter word. Elation carries me higher. I've done it. I've fulfilled my fair

ytale dream of falling in love at the same college as my parents, just like they did.

My dress rides up as I straddle him. Emerson releases a growl-like sound when he grabs the back of my thighs and pulls me closer. That one motion takes our sensual kiss and catapults it into a frenzied, lust-filled kiss as our hands travel over our bodies with a crazed need.

“Emerson,” I breathe, pulling away because... Why am I pulling away? His hands are on my hips for the moment, exposing me since my dress is bunched above his hands.

He leans forward, placing an open-mouthed kiss on my neck that nearly does me in. “Not letting you go,” he murmurs before kissing me again.

“Then, love me,” I tell him. He pulls my dress up over my head, helps me free my arms from the sleeves, and we begin to get lost in one another. This time feels different than before, but in the best way possible.

“Eva!” Catherine shouts, wrapping her arms around me. “I feel like it's been forever since we've hung out. I miss you.” She pulls back. “How was the funeral?”

“Okay.” I explain the bad parts: Emerson's mom and feeling awkward as everyone practically ignored my existence. Then, I tell her the good part: Emerson got his closure.

“So, how has he been acting? Still quiet?”

“Not as much,” I answer as she gets her drink from the vending machine. When she grabs her drink and turns to face me, I add, “He told me he loved me.”

Catherine drops the soda, her jaw landing on the floor with it. “Why didn't you lead with that?” she exclaims.

“Because you asked me a question first.” I pick up the bottle and hand it to her before taking my turn at the machine.

“Well?” she drags out the word. “Don't leave me hanging! What happened?”

I shrug. “I said it back. I should be back at the dorms by Sunday. As far as I know, football Sunday is still happening and I won't be there. Plus, I'm behind on my homework.”

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