Page 73 of Falling Like This

How can you be so sure?

Are you in love with me?

And seriously…

Why are you with someone else?

And that’s the thing that keeps getting me. How can he say things like that, try to be here for me like this, when he’s with someone else?

“You know that’s not fair to me. To say that,” I tell him, standing up and pacing as I flip a hand through my hair. I’m getting frustrated by all of this now.

“Why not?” he asks, standing as well and seeming genuinely confused.

“Because you’re with someone else! I’m right here and you’re still with someone else!” I yell, my voice cracking at the end, revealing my hurt. “How would we ever get married if you’re with someone else?”

My words are a whisper filled with pain. I didn’t mean for them to come out, but it’s too late, because I just told himexactlyhow I feel about him.

My heart goes to my throat, wishing there was some kind of undo button I could push.

But he tilts his head and gives me a soft smile.

He steps in toward me, letting his hands lightly fall at my waist. His face grows serious.

“Just because I’m with her doesn’t mean I think it’s serious. That she’s the one Iwantto be with.” His words are raw and unfiltered. Then he runs a hand through his hair and sighs like he always does when he’s frustrated. “She’s not my person.” His eyes are intently locked on mine, it’s almost like he’s in a trance, under a spell, causing him to reveal his deepest truths to me. He slides a hand into my hair and whispers, “She’s not… you.”

My eyes go wide, because by saying that,hejust toldmeexactly how he feels about me.

He just told me…

I step closer to him, my hands coming to his biceps.

My heart is pounding as I stare into his eyes. Eyes that always hold the truth of how he’s feeling. And what I see shocks me. Because what I see is love, pure love.For me.

I inhale deeply, trying to slow my rapid heart rate.

His head rests against mine. Our eyes meet. Then his flutter closed, so I close mine, too. We move in even closer together, our chests touching. My hands slide down his arms and into his hands.

I feel his breath on my lips.

Our lips are almost touching, moving closer, centimeter by centimeter, begging to connect with each other. His lips brush mine. And slowly, they meet. Lightly, gently, our closed lips press together. My breath catches in my throat.

Finally, I realize what we’re doing and pull back slightly.

I flash my eyes open and whisper, “Aaron, what are you saying?”

His eyes open. Then he inhales sharply and shakes his head while pulling back.

He keeps his eyes locked on mine and his hands in my hands.

“I—I… I’m saying that I don’t connect with anyone like I connect with you. That’s why you’re my person,” he says it like he doesn’t believe it himself.

Oh my gosh. He is… he really is…

I swallow hard as his gaze flits to my lips then back to my eyes.

“I love you, Beautiful,” he says, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. “I gotta go.” He squeezes my hands. “Have a good afternoon.”

He drops my hands, turns, and climbs out the window, leaving me staring at him.

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