Page 95 of To Catch a Firefly

…It was us against the world, Luck. The two of us, always. Me and you.

…In my weakest moments, I wish you’d stay.

…I’d do it again.

…I love you, my brilliant firefly.

…I was seventeen when I kissed you at Smith Falls.

…If you knew how I love you, would you understand?

…I’m scared, Luck.

…I miss you, my precious firefly.

…I love you more than anything. I love you, I love you, so please, my beautiful firefly, fly back to me soon.

It takes me a moment to realize Ellis is standing in the doorway. He’s a blurry image beyond my wet eyes, wavering like a mirage.

“All this time,” I say softly, wiping at my face. I shake my head, huffing what might be a laugh or maybe a cry. “Do you want to know what the most remarkable thing in my life is?”

He doesn’t say a word.

“El,” I rasp. “It’syou.”

Chapter 33

Ellis

My heart pounds as Lucky strides over to me. He shoves me before grabbing my shirt in both of his fists and tugging me close. We crash together, and he blinks up at my face, his chest rising and falling, blue eyes wet.

“You beautiful man,” he says, sounding frustrated but…not. “I love traveling. I love my job. But at the end of the day, all I want is to share it withyou. You’re the one I want to come home to. You’re the one I miss every time I’m back in New York. You’re the one who makes me happy, who makes my pulse jump like no other high.”

He takes a stuttering breath, fog curling around his lips like smoke.

“El… I’ve had my adventures, but no matter how many, no matter where I go, they always lead me back to you. Do you know why?”

I swallow, shaking my head slowly.

“You say I’m your firefly?”

I nod.Yes.

“Well you’re my goddamn moon, Ellis. You call, I come.”

“I… I never asked for that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

My breath puffs out in front of me, and Lucky goes up on his tiptoes, his lips inches away from mine.

“You had a secret,” he says. “So do I. Ready?”

I can’t move, and Lucky’s eyes ping between my own. His voice, when he speaks, is quiet.

“I love you, too. I have for years. I loved you then, and I love you now, and I won’t ever stop. I’m not capable of it. You’re it for me, El. You’re my big goddamn romance. And there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than here with you.”

“Luck.”

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