“When did you think of all this?”
“While I was walking, in between mentally beating myself up for being an ass earlier.”
He lets out a gentle chuckle, laying a hand on my thigh that makes my heart squeeze. “Hey, Iwaskind of freaked out by you dashing, but it’s understandable. Now we’ve both calmed down,andwe still like each other.”
He said that before, but hearing it again is still super relieving.
Now it’s my turn to mumble a suspenseful, “So….” I suck in a breath to ground myself before blurting out the contents of my brain. “Do you want to be together?”
The silence I get in response forces me to face my fears, and face Dean head-on.
And, awshit, he’s wearing one of his corny, teasing grins.
“What?” I ask, slipping into a nervous smile.
“Say that again.”
I shake my head.
“Aww, come on, Nicky-boy.” His grin grows wider as he punches my chest, and even though I know I should hate him using that nickname, my only thought is that it’scute. “Repeat yourself. I didn’t hear you the first time.”
“Screw it,” I mutter, letting my head fall back. “Dean, we’re both seniors, we have four months left of college, and therefore, we’re in the same boat. Do you want to be my boyfriend?”
Damn it, why is he still silent? And still smiling at me? If he wants to laugh at how sappy and pathetic I am, why can’t he just?—
“You’re asking me to be your boyfriend at one of the most romantic places in the country? How can I say no?” Whether that’s some kind of sick sarcasm isn’t immediately clear to me, and my maybe-hopefully-boyfriend walks his hand over and clasps his fingers on top of mine. “In all seriousness, yes. I really want to be your boyfriend.”
Even though we’re gonna be flying by the seat of our pants?I wonder, but I have enough tact not to say it out loud. Who knows what’s happening beyond graduation and the year after? Maybe there’s a physical therapy college in China…
Oop, he’s standing up, so I follow him.
“Look, I know what you’re thinking,” he starts, still holding onto my hand, “but maybe we don’t need to set a definite end date, whether that’s in four months or whenever. I’m still waiting on my job in Shenzhen to get back to me on the background check, and I have a pending grad school application. Nothing’s really set in stone. MaybeI’llbe the one to move foryou.”
I laugh out loud at how he flipped things on their head, determined to lighten the mood. “That’s sosweetof you, babe!” I squeeze his cheek as he tries to dodge me, scoffing. “You changed your mind for my sorry ass. You might chooseme!”
It comes out as a joke, but hell if I don’t mean what I just said.
“Yeah, fuck you,” he says, chuckling and gently shoving me.
My ass lands against the edge of the bridge, and he steps closer,putting a hand on my chest and leaning me backward. Not enough to actually risk tipping me into the water below, especially since he's got his other hand stabilizing my back, but it's enough to make me swat him away.
“What for?”
“Making me fall for you like this, which is the craziest thing I’ve ever done in my life.” He tilts his head, smiling. “But it’s worth it. I don’t know why, but you’re good for me.”
“Aww, is someone getting sappy?”
“Hmm, maybe. Wanna kiss?”
“Here?”
Dean plants his hands on either side of me, and I bat his smirking face away. “You know, awkward PDA is a thing here for some reason. I’d always side-eye people making out on the subway and whatever, but I kind of get the appeal now.”
He parts his lips and leans in closer, and I have to deflect him again.
“Dude, I’m not trying to get arrested.”
“Kissing in public isn’tillegal, just a little trashy,” he counters. “Besides, this bridge is so romantic it'slegendary. I really, really want to kiss you right now.”
