Page 77 of Brighter Together

Lee.

I grip the railing.

I should tell Tommy.

The opportunity is right here.

He is relaxed.

We are alone.

But telling him would mean the end of this evening, and I’m not ready for that. I’m just not ready to say goodbye to this dream.

I hear footsteps behind me.

“What are you thinking?” Tommy stops beside me.

I turn towards him.

The truth sits on my tongue.

Then I look at Tommy’s face.

At how happy he looks.

And I lose my nerve.

“That this has been an amazing evening.”

It isn’t a lie.

It just isn’t everything.

His smile makes the guilt worse. I turn around again to face the city.

“I’m glad.” He steps behind me and slides both arms around my waist.

My back settles against his chest.

I close my eyes.

Warmth wraps around me.

For a few seconds, all I can hear is the noise of the city and Tommy breathing near my ear.

I want this.

Not just tonight.

Manchester was supposed to be a test. A couple of days away from Greenview to find out whether the attraction survives when we aren’t pretending not to notice each other.

Standing here with his arms around me, I’m already starting to suspect the answer.

I want more.

Which means I have to tell him the truth.

Soon.