Page 27 of Forever Love

I silently close my locker and step up to him, gently running my hand over his cheek. “You’re an incredible man, Vincent Ardito. You always see the best in people. One of the many things I love about you.”

He kisses me softly, then groans. “Ugh, we can’t dothathere.”

I smile a little. “Sorry.” I turn to step away, but he grabs my arm.

Clearing his throat, he says, “Just… give me a minute.” I look down and smile, proud of the effect I have on him.

“Okay,” he says after a moment, “I’m good.” He reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers as we walk toward class. “Hey, um, would you mind coming over to my place after school?”

“Yeah, sure, of course.” Reading the pained expression on his face, I ask, “Everything okay?”

He stops and looks at me. “I want to ask my dad about…”

“Oh. Of course.”

“And you said you’d—”

“Hold your hand? Damn right I will.”

He kisses my cheek. “Thank you.”

“You don’t ever have to thank me, Vin. I’m always here for you.”

He gives me the kind of blazing smile that makes my insides twist.

Now this is a normal I’m happy to get back to.

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