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I took a breath as I tried to get a reign on my own feelings, so Gwen took that opportunity to talk.
“I’ve loved you forever,” she gushed. “I don’t know how you never saw it. I think everyone knew except you. I didn’t date initially, because I didn’t want to date anyone but you. After that stuff with Brad, I didn’t want to date anyone at all for a while, but by our senior year? I definitely would have said yes if you’d asked.” She smiled sadly and shook her head.
“What?” I inquired, bringing my hand up to wipe away her tears.
“We wasted so much time,” she replied.
I thought about everything that had happened so far, and although I knew there was still a lot to work out, I didn’t want to lose the momentum we had going now. I couldn’t take the chance that Gwen would change her mind, or allow fear to take over again.
“Are you ready for me now?” I asked, searching her face for the answer. “I don’t want to waste anymore time. I want to see what we will be like together now. After a few years of only scattered conversations, most of them fights. I need the chance for you to know me now, and to get caught up on your life.”
“I’d like that.”
I looked at the clock on the dash and swore under my breath.
“I have to get back and head to the field. Coach is expecting me.”
“That’s okay, I have some work I need to do for my showcase.”
“Gwen,” I asked softly with a grin, mentally calculating how long it would be before I could be with her again. “Will you come over tonight after you’re done with what you have to do? I want to make you dinner.”
Her smile blinded me, it was so bright, and I felt my heart surge as she replied, “I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Nineteen ~ Gwen
Present Day (20 years old)
I’d barely been home an hour, and was going through proofs of the prints I wanted to use for the showcase, when I heard pounding at the door. I looked up from my place at the dining room table to see Aliyah running across the room. Once she reached the door, she skidded to a halt, took a deep breath to slow her breathing, and smoothed out her clothes.
Curious, I dropped the picture I’d been analyzing and turned my attention fully to my roommate.
Aliyah gave one curt nod, I guess assuring herself she was ready, then put a smile on her face and opened the door.
I craned my neck to see who was there, and was surprised to see Liam sweep Aliyah off her feet and kiss her soundly on the lips.
I’m sure I gasped, but the two people making out at the door didn’t hear a thing. I watched, my mouth wide open, as Liam kicked the door shut behind himself and began walking toward Aliyah’s bedroom, his mouth still fused to hers.
It was quite impressive.
I followed their movements as they walked through the living room and into the bedroom, then his foot kicked back once more and the door shut soundly behind them.
“What the heck was that?” I asked myself out loud.
Still in shock, I stood and walked over to the old stereo system that Aliyah had brought with her from her parents’ house and turned the music up. I wanted it at a level that I could work at, while drowning out the sounds that I’m sure were about to come from that room.
I looked at the clock.
I still had an hour before I had to be at Craig’s.
My eyes went from the photos I was working on to the closed door of my best friends room.
“Coffee shop it is,” I muttered, then gathered up my things and left, deciding to give my friends some real privacy.
I was walking down the street when my phone pinged, signaling I’d received a text.
Got back early, and Liam’s already gone, so if you get done early, you can come on by.
On my way.
