Gabe leaned back, his expression growing more serious. His fingers gently grasped my chin, tilting my head up so our gazes locked. “Lily, this is real. Every second of us has been real. You make me feel alive in a way I didn’t think was possible. I havenever felt this way about someone—and I never will. No one compares to you and the magic you bring to every room you walk into.”
My chest tightened, and I let out a shaky exhale. The words were everything I’d longed to hear but didn’t think I’d ever get. But here was Gabe showing me his heart.
“It’s real for you,” I said quietly, more to myself than to him. A fragile truth I hadn’t dared to say out loud. His hand moved from my chin to cradle my cheek, thumb brushing gently across my skin.
“It’s real for me,” he said, steady and sure. “All of it. I’ve been chasing something for so long—trying to build a life that made sense on paper. But none of it meant anything until you. I don’t want anything if you’re not in it.”
He paused, eyes searching mine. “I want all your midnights, Lily. Not just tonight. Not just Christmas Eve. I want them all.”
And there it was. The dam inside me broke.
Tears welled, not from sadness, but from the weight of being seen, chosen, and wanted.
“I want all your midnights, too, Gabe,” I said without an ounce of hesitation. I looked over his shoulder, noticing that everyone was wrapped up in their own celebrations. “What do you say we get out of here?”
“I’d say that’s one of your best ideas yet.”
Me
Happy New Year!!! Gabe and I are going to head out for the night.
Eliza
Figured that was the case with you two making out in the corner. :)
Jules
Been there, done that lol.
Is Lake Ridge two for two for couples falling in love?
Eliza
Huh, yeah, I guess it is.
Me
Okay, extreme. It was one kiss!
But he did say some swoony things…I’ll fill you both in later.
Wait, does that mean Eliza’s next?!
Jules
Oooh I think it does!!!
Eliza
I’m turning my phone off now. Talk to you in the new year.
Me
It’s already the new year!
Eliza
The next one.
