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He’s looking at me now with his usual expression that could be affection but could also be utter incomprehension. He’s so gorgeous, even though he looks as if he’s been caught in the rain. Oh God, is he interested in me or not? I know the year isn’t up yet, but it’s damnably close, and I’m getting excited about the prospect of being free. And suddenly I need to know how he feels about me more than anything else in the world.
“Alex…”
“Yeah?”
We’re standing only a foot apart. I can smell his spicy vanilla cologne, warmed by his body. I’m wearing sandals today rather than my usual high heels because we’re on the field, and he’s a lot taller than me. He’s hot and sweaty and sexy and I wish I could just push him onto the grass and jump him. Oh man, I want to do that so much. His eyes gleam. Does he have any idea what I’m thinking?
I hesitate, then take the plunge. “Are you seeing anyone? Juliette told me you weren’t, but it was back in April, and I wondered whether maybe you’d started dating since then because it’s been such a long time, and you’re gorgeous, and I can’t believe you’d be single this long, and it would make sense if you’d found someone…” My voice trails off.
He shakes his head. “No.”
“Um, no, you’re not seeing anyone? Or no, you’re not single?”
“The former.”
The former? That’s such an Alex answer. He’s not smiling, although his eyes sparkle a little.
He’s not seeing anyone! Oh. Wow. That’s great news! But… even if that is the case, it doesn’t mean he’s interested in me, right?
I clear my throat. “Do you… you know… like me?”
“Yeah,” he says.
“I mean, do youlikelike me?”
“Yeah,” he says again, in the same tone as before. He surveys me patiently. I don’t think he gets what I’m trying to say.
“I’m not sure you understand,” I say carefully. “I’m embarrassed to ask this, but I keep thinking about it, and it’s been on my mind practically twenty-four-seven. I’m asking whether you have feelings for—”
“Missie, I get it. And yes. Ilikelike you. A lot.”
My jaw drops. His lips curve up, just a tiny bit.
Helikeslikes me?
Oh my God.
“I wasn’t sure,” I admit eventually. “You’re a hard guy to read.”
“You seriously had no idea?” He sounds half-amused, half-baffled.
I’m genuinely confused. “Why do you like me?”
“Because you’re gorgeous and you make me smile, and I want you,” he says.
My jaw sags. Slowly, heat blooms in my face. He notices, and this time he gives a proper, naughty smile.
When he speaks, though, his tone is gentle. “I’m not expecting anything. But I guess it’s time we had a conversation about where we go from here.”
“There are things you don’t know,” I say desperately. I want to tell him, but I’m ashamed, and I’m afraid he’ll look at me differently if he knows.
He tips his head to the side. “All that matters is if you’re ready now.”
I bite my bottom lip. “I think so.”
His eyes meet mine. Then he glances above our heads. I follow his gaze and discover we’re standing right underneath a piece of mistletoe that someone’s tied to the top pole of the tent.
“It’s nearly the twenty-first,” he says.
