Page 24 of See Through

“And what did that beautiful mind come up with?”

“That I’m terrified of losing you.”

“You won’t.”

She shakes her head. “You don’t know that. We could do this, and it could all crash and burn in the future. We could lose each other and I wouldn’t survive that.”

“Neither would I, but I don’t want to look back in thirty years and wonder why I let my own fears get in the way of something I’m sure is going to be the best thing to happen to me. I don’t want our worries to get in the way. I’d rather ruin our friendship than always be left wondering what might have happened.”

“I agree.”

“Good.” I lean closer to her, smelling her signature jasmine perfume invading my senses. “I’m glad we’re finally on the same page.”

“Me too.” She struggles to catch her breath. “Dean.”

“Yeah, baby?” My hand slides up her arm, then her shoulder, all the way up to the back of her neck.

“Kiss me.”

As soon as she says those words, I freeze.

“Please?”

“I will. I-I just,” I stammer. “I want to hear you ask me that again so I can be sure I’m not dreaming.”

“Dean, can you please kiss me?”

“Mhm,” I mumble before my lips are on hers, and I smile against her, my brain unable to comprehend the fact that I’m kissing the girl of my dreams, the girl I’ve been pining after for years. It’s just how I thought it would be. Her lips are soft, and she melts underneath my touch. There’s a slight smile to her lips or mine, or both of ours. I can’t really tell. All I can really focus on is how she feels in my hands. I’m holding her tight, as if I’m afraid she’s going to slip right through my fingers like a ghost.

But she doesn’t. She’s real, and she’s kissing me, and I’m hers, at least in this moment, just how I am all the other minutes I’ve known her. I’ve always been hers, even if she wasn’t mine until now.

“Dean,” she breathes against me. “Dean.”

I can’t help the giggle that comes out as I unlatch from her lips, my forehead against hers.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” she laughs. “I just can't believe I’m kissing my best friend.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wrap my head around the fact that I know what your lips feel like. This might seriously be the best day of my life.”

“Oh, come on.” She smacks my chest. “There’s no way this is the best day of your life.”

“It is,” I affirm. “There’s no topping this. I’m sure of it.”

She just shakes her head, a smile still etched on her face. I’m not sure mine will ever leave now that tonight has happened.

“How about I order us some dinner while you shower and unwind for the day?”

“Aubs, you can do whatever you want.” I press another kiss to her lips, scooping her legs up so she's sitting on the counter. “As long as you’re here when I get out, I don’t care what you order.”

“I’m not leaving, Dean. I got what I came over here for.”

“You did?”

“Yeah.” Her hands are against my cheeks. “You.”

“Fuck, you’re killing me.” I shake my head. “I’ll be right back. Don’t⁠—”