Page 108 of Dear Pink

“Okay.”

My heart beats hard in my chest. His serious expression scares me.

“I want you to promise.”

He isn’t joking around. It takes all of my strength to stay in the moment with him as every insecure doubt creeps into my mind.

“Promise what?” I ask. He can’t dump me naked, can he?

“Promise you won’t freak. No matter what.”

“No matter what?” I ask. “Wait, did you kill someone? Are you a vampire?” I joke attempting to lighten the mood.

“No, not a murderer, and for sure, not a vampire.”

“Good, cause I am team Jacob all the way.”

“I hate that I know what you’re talking about. DamnTwilight.” He smirks. “The curse of having sisters.”

I chuckle, relaxing a bit.

“Promise?” Gabe asks again, his expression pensive.

“Okay, okay. I promise I won’t freak out, but you’re kinda freaking me out already.”

“So, here’s the deal.” He stops. “Remember, no running for the hills.”

I nod, afraid to move a muscle, but he doesn’t say another word. The bedroom goes silent, and my heart pounds in my chest. His eyes don’t leave mine.

“I love you,” Gabe says. “I’m in love with you.”

“You are?” I can’t believe this is real. He loves me. This dream man loves me. Me.

“Yeah, I am.”

My entire insides are lit like a summertime firework show, and his stare pierces through me.

“You’re in love withme?” I ask for confirmation.

“Yes,” he says with a tiny glimmer of a smile. “You aren’t freaking out now, are you?”

“Yes, I’m totally freaking out.”

“Damn, I thought it might be too early to tell you, but the feeling seemed like an uncomfortable secret. I’m madly in love with you, and I can’t hold it in anymore.”

“I understand.” There’s a pleasant humming in my ears, and I swear I see stars. He loves me.

“But you can’t run off or leave goodbye notes on grocery receipts. Please don’t ask me to ‘slow our roll.’ My heart can’t take it.”

His facial expression is thoughtful. His brows furrow and he’s gone from playful to worried. Can’t he feel my heart dancing in my chest?

“Okay, Hannah?”

“Gabe, I get it.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, cause I love you too.” The heat coursing through my body is electric. “I’m in love with you too.”

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