Page 151 of Finn Rhodes Forever

Oh, shit. My jaw went slack.

Liv nodded. “Yeah. That’s the car. This is supposed to be meaningful, and I want everyone to know that I love you.”

The words floated through the air, landed on my heart, and sank in. I knew she felt that way, but hearing her say it? It shifted the earth under my feet.

I blinked. “Wow.”

Liv Morgan loved me.

She nodded, throat working. “Yeah.”

“That’s how you greet people at the front door?” The teasing words rushed out of me.

The corner of her mouth twitched, and everything between us settled into place. “Not often,” she quipped back, eyes welling up. “Only with you, because I love you.”

“You mentioned that.”

“It’s true.” She nodded, lacing her fingers together, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I do love you. A lot. Like, the most out of anyone who’s ever loved anyone. An ugly amount, like I’ll kill anyone who hurts you, that kind of love.”

“Huh.”

“Yeah,” she said again, watching me. She licked her lips with a little frown. I could see her chest rising and falling as she gathered her thoughts. “I met Cole. He’s here.”

“Shit.” I whistled, mind reeling.

“Yeah.” Her hands made fists, balled up in her shirt sleeves, and she wiped away a tear.

My heart ached with the urge to pull her to my chest, but I wanted to let her say her piece.

“He’s in therapy and he’s trying to say the things he always meant to say. He stayed away because he thought I was better off without him, like you did.”

Her gaze shot to mine, so vulnerable and beautiful.

“And I thought, what’s my excuse for being so terrified, if Cole can do it? Don’t I get a say in these relationships?” She searched my eyes. “Telling you I loved you meant that you could hurt me, so I kept you at a distance and made you think I didn’t care, but I did. Idocare. I don’t want to be that person who forces people to elbow their way into her life. Sadie talked my fucking ear off at the bar—”

I huffed a laugh. Sadie did talk a lot.

“—but she grew on me. But what if she hadn’t done that? I never would have gotten to know her.” She was picking up speed now, the words tumbling out of her mouth. “Even Avery and Hannah, I only hang out with them if they insist. Your mom wanted to spend time with me for years, but I shot her down every time. I slammed a steel wall up between myself and others so I couldn’t get hurt. If I didn’t care, it wouldn’t matter if they left me.”

Her forehead creased with worry. “I don’t want to hurt the people I love because I’m scared. I should have gone after you yesterday instead of telling you to leave.” She clamped her lips together before she blew out a breath. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Me, too.” My gaze roamed her face, so worried and repentant when I was the one who should be apologizing. “I shouldn’t have freaked out. I screwed up. I’ll screw up again, but I’m not leaving. We’ll figure it out together.”

“I love you,” she repeated. “I’m going to keep saying it until you believe it.”

“I’m starting to think…” I shook my head. “That you have feelings for me or something?”

A laugh burst out of her, and then it turned into a sob. “Finn.”

“Baby.” My voice was soft and I held my arms out. “Come here.”

She stepped forward and I picked her up. Her arms looped around my neck, her legs wrapped around my waist, and she gazed into my eyes with such intense affection, I swear my heart tripped. Her eyes welled up and I kissed her.

I kissed her like she was mine. I kissed her like I had been hers for a very long time. I kissed her like our hearts were full and connected. I kissed her like she was the best damn thing that ever happened to me, like the universe had put us side by side for a reason.

I kissed Liv Morgan like she was my soulmate.

“You love me?” I asked her in between kisses. “You sure?”

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