Page 13 of Kissing My Grumpy Ex Boyfriend

“I love her, and I don’t want history repeating itself. And yet here I am, her parents are still a piece of work, but this time they had no problem shouting to the whole neighborhood how I’m not good enough I am for their daughter.”

Carter shakes his head. “I knew you still had feelings for her, but I didn’t realize the torch was blazing bright again.”

“What do I do?”

“Talk to her.” He points over my shoulder.

I turn, and Bellamy gets out of a car parked in front of our shop. My heart squeezes at how beautiful she is, but my mind and gut ache at the memory of our last goodbye. This can’t happen again.

“I’m going to get lunch,” Carter says.

“It’s only nine in the morning.”

“What can I say? I’m hungry. And I don’t want to watch this sappy reunion.” He throws his rag down and walks out the back door as Bellamy walks through the front.

Bellamy stops when our eyes meet. She’s wearing a tiny blue summer dress with white daisies all over it, and she’s so tempting. Chewing on her bottom lip, she fiddles nervously with the keys in her hand.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“Can we talk?”

I shrug. “What’s there to talk about?”

“Us.” Her voice is low, and I struggle to hear it.

“There is no us, Bellamy. Your parents made it very clear what they think of me, and I know how much sway they have over you.”

Her shoulders drop, and her lip quivers a bit.

“Last night was just us rehashing of old memories. That’s all. No need to make anything more out of it.” I wipe my hands on a rag from my back pocket.

Her eyes mist up, and my heart clenches at how hurt she looks.

“Well, I wasn’t rehashing old memories, as you like to put it. I didn’t want that to be the end of us. I wanted it to be another beginning. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I left here. I focused on my studies, and I worked so that I could find my way back to you.” She throws up her arms in frustration. “Aiden, I’ve been in love with you this whole time. I’ll always love you. I’ve only ever wanted to be with you.”

I stare at her in stunned disbelief. My heart is beating so hard that I swear I hear it banging against my chest. I replay everything she says, needing to be sure I heard her correctly.

But before I can find the words to respond, she misreads my silence.

“I’m sorry to have bothered you, Aiden. I’m sorry for the scene this morning. I’ll leave you alone.”

She turns around and reaches for the door, but I launch myself after her. I grab her hand and spin her around to face me. Red-rimmed eyes stare up at me, and tears spill down her cheeks.

My mouth lands on hers, and I kiss her with everything I possess. She sighs sweetly and kisses me back.

I slow the kiss and lift my head to meet her gaze.

“I’ve always loved you and will always love you. Belle, you have my heart.”

“Aiden.” She pulls out the necklace I made her. “And you have mine.”

Epilogue

BELLAMY

“Class, you have been so great today. I’m going to spare you an evening of work and assign no homework.” I tell my last class of the day just as the bell rings.

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