Page 98 of Renegade Roomie

“Callie.”

I let out a yelp, spinning around. And there he is, right in front of me. Too handsome for words in jeans and a soft cotton T-shirt that kind of stretches across his chest.

I flush, just being near him again. “I didn’t hear you,” I blurt.

“I walked quietly,” he replies. “You know, not to scare the bird.”

I gulp. “About that…”

“You mean to tell me, I came all this way, and there isn’t a cerulean warbler?” Dash asks, and I feel terrible—until I see the twitch of a smile on the edge of his lips.

I exhale in a rush. “No bird. Just me.” I swallow. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Good.” Dash nods, his expression unreadable. “I need to talk to you.”

Oh god.

“Me first!” I blurt, before he can say anything. “I’m sorry. Piper told me about you getting cut off, and… I know I fucked everything up for you. I didn’t mean to,” I add, my heart aching. “I was just angry, and insecure, and falling in love with you, and I didn’t know how to ask if you felt the same way, because it felt real to me, but we had our whole arrangement and you said you didn’t want anyone to catch—”

Dash silences me with a kiss. His mouth is hot and sweet on mine, and I fall into him, loving the feel of him back in my arms again.

“… Feelings,” I manage to finish, when he finally pulls away.

“Well, I think it’s safe to say, someone did,” Dash says, cradling my jaw. He gives me that irresistible smile, and I just about melt.

Does he mean…? His body language is pretty clear, but I can’t leave anything to chance or miscommunication. Not after everything.

“But you haven’t,” I manage to find words. “Said anything.”

Dash takes a deep breath. “I’m crazy about you, Callie,” he says, staring tenderly into my eyes. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I know I fucked things up with that terrible proposal breakup idea, but… Would you be willing to give me another chance to be your boyfriend. For real this time?”

I stare at him, reeling. Is this really happening?

Dash must mistake my silence for hesitation, because he takes my hands now. “Pretending to break up like that, it was supposed to be so we could be together without the deal hanging over us. So you wouldn’t feel obligated to hang out with me anymore. But then, with Zelda, and everything, it all fell apart. I should have said something sooner to you about the way I feel. I’m so, so sorry.”

“I am too!” I manage to stammer, trying to keep back the tears of happiness. “I ruined things for you and Zelda, with your trust—”

He shakes his head. “Honestly? That was a blessing in disguise. That money was always tainted for me, it made me feel so guilty. Now, I don’t have to feel so conflicted, I can stand on my own two feet. And Zelda and I have patched things up,” he adds, with a wry smile. “She’s agreed to butt out of my life, and I’ve agreed not to spin any more elaborate fake girlfriend stories.”

“I should hope not,” I tell him, smiling. “Since you’ve got a very real one now.”

“I do?” Dash looks at me, and the hope in his eyes just about takes my breath away.

I nod. “You do.”

He sweeps me into his arms, kissing me again. I throw my arms around his neck, and hold on tightly, loving the rush of butterflies, and the way I fit just right in his arms.

“Wait, what was that?” he pulls back, looking around.

“What was what?”

“That!” he exclaims, as I hear some birdsong, faint nearby. “Holy shit, it could be the warbler.”

“No, that was just a story,” I protest, as Dash grabs my hand and pulls me after him, off the bridge and into the woody undergrowth. “I made it up!”

“But the warbler has been spotted in the park,” Dash says, creeping forward.

“Dash—”

---