This feeling in my chest? This consuming, expanding, squeezing pressure outwards like I was about to explode like a supernova? This was what it was all about. This made it all worth it.
Lay it all out on the line, I told myself. I drew myself up and took a deep breath.
揧ep.?I took a step forward. 揃efore I tell you how much I love you, before I tell you that you are the love of my fucking life and that you抮e a part of me, I want to tell you that I realized something.?
揙kay.?Her voice was quiet and tentative. 揋o on.?
揑 knew everything was temporary, and I used that to keep myself back from all the good things. You said everything you knew was wrong? Well, me too, bookworm.?
I walked over to her and put my hands on her upper arms. The warmth of her skin was heaven. I could smell her shampoo and it made my chest ache again.
揥hen things were too good, when I was too happy, I reminded myself it wouldn抰 last so it wouldn抰 hurt when it was gone.?I gazed down into her eyes and nearly laughed at how I could ever think this was temporary. Her name was tattooed on the inner walls of my heart. 揃ut it didn抰 help one bit. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me.?
揑抦 sorry,?she whispered.
揑抦 sorry, too.?
I took another step into her space, studying the amber flecks in her eyes while my hands brushed her arms. 揑 love you. I should have said it instead of 慶ome with me.?I love you and I want you forever.?
She nodded with a watery smile. Her hands came to my waist. 揑 love you, too.?
I pulled her to me and kissed the love of my life.
35
Hannah
揗ake a wish.?
We sat on Wyatt抯 front porch that evening, watching the sunset splash breathtaking colors across the sky. He held a cake, tiny flames dancing on the candles. His loving grin and the warmth in his eyes made my heart flip in my chest.
揑 don抰 have anything left to wish for,?I told him, biting my lip. I let out a little laugh. 揑 don抰 know why I was so worried about turning thirty.?
Instead of making a wish when I blew the candles out, I thanked the universe for giving me everything I had wanted. All the flames went out except one, and Wyatt抯 eyes flared with mischief.
揙ne boyfriend who loves you.?He winked.
揙ne boyfriend who loves me,?I whispered, matching his smile.
He set the cake down and cut each of us a piece. I took a bite and hummed with satisfaction.
揥hat kind of cake is this??
揅hampagne.?
We exchanged a grin, and I knew he was thinking of the beer bong night the bar with Carter, too. He reached behind him and pulled a gift bag forward.
揜eady for your gift??
I nodded eagerly, clasping my hands together. He set the bag on the porch between us and I reached in.
My hand closed around a box, and when I pulled it out and saw what it was, my eyes were saucers. 揥yatt!?My voice was a high squeak and he laughed.
His gaze raked me with roguish amusement and my face heated. 揧ou like it??
揧ou got me a sex toy??I whispered the word and he laughed harder. It was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand and hot pink. Seven stimulating suction settings! the package boasted. The package explained how the toy would apply suction pressure to my clit. I swallowed and a wave of heat hit me between my legs.
揅ome on, bookworm.?His voice was low and teasing and his eyes were full of something hot. 揃e brave with me.?
I bit back a smile. We抎 put his gift to use later. I reached back into the bag and pulled out something flat and rectangular, wrapped in tissue paper. When I tore the paper away, my heart shot into my throat.
It was her and I in front of the bookstore. Her brilliant smile shone through the photo as she smiled at me, propped on her hip. I was a baby. I had a fist full of her hair, trying to eat it, and she was laughing.
My hand came to my heart. The way she looked at me in this picture, how could I ever think she抎 be disappointed in me?
I met Wyatt抯 warm gaze and sighed. 揟hank you.?
He nodded and reached for my hand. It was the little touches like that, wasn抰 it? Wyatt noticing I liked champagne and having a cake made in that flavor. Wyatt buying me something sexy because he knew it would make me feel good. Wyatt finding the perfect present that showed me he saw me.
How could I ever have thought Wyatt wasn抰 the right guy for me? He was the perfect guy for me.
揚rofessor??
揧eah, bookworm??
揔iss me.?
Epilogue - Hannah
Elizabeth sat on our front step when we pulled into the driveway. She lit up at the sight of Wyatt抯 truck and waved.
揝orry we抮e a bit later than expected,?I called over, climbing out of the passenger seat. 揑 hope you haven抰 been waiting long.?