Page 67 of Always Yours

“Yeah. That was a dick move on my part.”

“It was, but it was funny, especially with Flynn trying to eat a beef stick with plastic fangs.”

I snort, chuckling. “I missed that.”

“It was awesome,” she says, leaning forward on her elbows. “I don’t like that you read my book, though.”

“Yeah, I got that,” I answer, rocking on my heels. “In my defense, I love reading, and it was really good. I read it all night.”

“Way to make me look bad,” she snaps at me, and I smile.

“You’ll love the ending.”

“Don’t tell me a word, or I’ll drown you in that pond,” she warns, and I hold back my laughter. The rosy hue of her cheeks deepens, and I have to fight tooth and nail not to reach out and touch her. “I’m surprised you haven’t brought up the letter.”

I choose my words carefully and then decide to go with the truth. “Do you want me to?”

“Not really,” she admits, clearing her throat. “But I’m sure we need to discuss it.”

“Do you write a lot of letters?”

“When I get upset like that, it helps me to write down everything in letter form. I have written letters to everyone who has wronged me, but usually I just burn them. I’ve never given one to someone.”

“But you gave it to me?”

“Yeah. I needed you to know. It helps me accept my feelings and move on.”

“So, you’ve moved on from what you wrote?” I ask, praying to God she hasn’t.

“Not at all,” she says, meeting my gaze. “You truly piss me off.”

“You’re not the first to say that,” I tell her, holding her gaze. “My mom says only the strong can deal with me.”

“Your mother is a saint, from what I gather,” she says, her eyes dark like caramel. “But beyond the fact that you drive me insane with your arrogance and the fact that you are never affected by anything—”

“I’m affected by you,” I say, stopping her words.

“Doesn’t seem so.”

I shrug. “I am.”

She swallows uncertainly, her eyes sparkling. “I am affected by you, and I enjoy you. Immensely.”

“Didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Neither did I,” she admits. “At least, not out loud.”

An uneasy silence falls between us as she looks out at the pond, my gaze on her. Unable to resist, I take her in my arms, despite the fact that anyone could be watching. They’d know with one look that I’m completely smitten with her. That thought makes me realize she may not know that.

“Janie, you know I more than enjoy you,” I say, and she looks up at me, surprise swirling in those stunning eyes. “Like, my day is shit until I see you.”

“Really?”

“Scout’s honor,” I say, holding up two fingers.

She gives me a look. “You were a Boy Scout?”

I pause and fight the laughter bubbling in my chest. “I have a great comeback, but it’s highly inappropriate.”

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