Page 107

If so, it was stunning and brilliant.

Maybe Vadika was right in her determination for so long to take in the entire college experience, though I never would tell her that. There were nice moments, whether or not they lasted long. For now, I wanted this one to linger for a very long time as I held on to the hem of Ryan’s soft T-shirt, keeping him only a breath away.

“Even your kisses taste like magic.”

I peered at him as he slowly swiped his thumbs back and forth over my cheeks. “And what does magic taste like?”

“Sugary sweet.”

I giggled. “Are you sure that’s not just your imagination?” Or one too many drinks?

“No,” he whispered, leaning back in. “Definitely you.”

I hummed into him.

“I love you.”

I pulled back a few inches to make sure it was him who had said those words. “What?”

He shrugged, as if it was the simplest thing. A weight off his shoulders. “I think I love you, Luella Pierce.”

“You think?”

“I know.” He laughed.

“You love me,” I whispered, staring at him.

Ryan … loved me. Emotion surged through me as I looked at him, pushing me to want to slam my body back into his and kiss him or … run away.

I licked my lips, trying not to laugh. “Really?”

“I love you,”the boys had said as they dipped their hands below my shirt.“You’re so free.”

“You’re not like the other girls. I love that.”

“I love you so much, Luella. So much,”I heard my mother say in the very back of my mind, covering the rest of the taunts and teases, a voice tangled in my memory that sounded so close to Ryan’s confession.

True and honest.

“Do you want me to say it again?” Ryan asked a little louder over the rest of the voices and music as I came back to myself, obviously not averse to the idea. “I’ll scream it if I have to.”

I swallowed. “Maybe.”

“I love you. A piece of love, all of my love.” Ryan said, smiling at the strange phrase. “Whatever kind of love or magic you call this sort of feeling I have for you, it’s yours.”

He loved me.

Maybe he didn’t know yet, however little or however much, but he was right; it felt like magic all the same. Powerful and extraordinary.

I finally gave in and kissed him again. “Ryan, I—”

Over his shoulder, I noticed Vadika waving at me frantically. She tapped her wrist.

Her presentation. The reminder flooded back through me as I turned my shocked expression to Ryan.

Until I pulled back. “Wait.”

“Wait?”