AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You aren’t?” Zoey chokes out, uncontrollable tears leaking. “Fuck, I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be.” I wipe the creases of her eyes and the tear that tracks through her muddied cheek. Zoey watches me brush my thumb softly against her face.
We both breathe in at the same time.
“What does this mean for us, October?”
This is the part that frightens me. The part where I have no control. Just like six years ago, Zoey can leave me. I might be alone and heartbroken all over again, but I wouldn’t trade this time I’ve had with her. Feeling a kind of love that comes once in a blue moon. And I’ve felt it twice with the same woman.
How lucky I’ve been.
How cursed I may be.
I hold nothing back. With everything in my heart and soul, I profess, “I want to be with you, Zoey. I want to be your girlfriend for longer than a night and as more than just a dream. Something long-lasting and real—I want you and only you.” I take a sharp breath. “But—”
“Shit, there’s a but?”
We’re both on a cliff together, but I’m hopeful we can survive this one too. “Don’t leave your job and Chicago for me.”
“Kenobi—”
“Don’t,” I force out. “If you want—if you’ll let me—I’d like to come with you.”
Her eyes well. “To Chicago?”
I nod, tears clouding my eyes too. I once told Zoey that I’d leave Mistpoint Harbor for love, and I did try. This time, I’d like to try again. For her.
It’s always only been for her.
I blink but tears fall. “Alright, now you have to stop crying,” I say icily. “You’re making me cry.”
She wipes at my cheeks with a laugh that fades too quickly. “I can’t make you leave Mistpoint. Your sister is here.”
“You’re not making me do anything.” I cup her soft cheek. She cups mine. “I want to be where you are.” Please want me there, Zoey.
She rests her forehead against mine, laughing into a tearful smile. “You’d come to Chicago for me.”
“Haven’t you realized? I’d do anything for you, you idiot.”
She laughs harder. “I’m so in love with you, Kenobi, and wherever we go, it doesn’t matter as much as being together. I’ll be the happiest just knowing you’re there.”
I brighten more than the sun that bathes us, and instantly, Zoey and I draw together in a kiss worthy of fireworks and applause and standing ovations. Worthy of our fake book.
And our real love.
She smiles against the kiss, and our happiness lifts my lips higher. We stay on the deck of The Drunk Pelican. Kissing, finishing off the bottle of white wine, and this might be our last chapter in Mistpoint Harbor. The last time I’m tied to the monotonous fried crullers. Our new home, new start could be in Chicago, but I just dream of opening a door and seeing Zoey on the other side.
No matter where we are, I’ve always just dreamt of her. The girl who makes me come alive again.
And again.
Epilogue
ONE MONTH LATER
ZOEY DURAND
A knock sounds at the front door. She’s here. She’s here—and why am I late for our most important date? Oh yeah, because I dumped liquid foundation on my cotton black dress, tried to rub the spot off and created a massive splotch—then I used a broken hair dryer to dry the thing.
I’m a mess.
At least October would say I’m her mess. I smile to myself while I quickly check the state of my hair—half-up and clipped with a gold barrette (prettier than usual)—and then I swipe on lip gloss and grab the bundle of peonies, plus a little pouch of bird seed that I tied with ribbon.
Okay, okay, I’m all in one piece.
Let’s go, Zoey.
I sprint to the door. Just as another knock sounds, I twist the knob and open. “Hey…” Words are stolen, and I bite my lip seeing October Brambilla in her commanding aura of beauty on the other side.
It’s springtime.
The cool breeze blows in, but the pleasant weather is no match for October. Her pink floral sundress is so gorgeous, and her iced eyes melt as they sweep me.
I feel just as beautiful under her gaze.
“Zoey,” she greets with a rising smile. Her fingers slip against my cheek, and I clutch the curve of her hip. We’ve gone through mysteries and squalls to reach this point together—and I’ve never loved where I am more.
Our eyes embrace before our lips, and I steal the first kiss before she steals the second.
My lips tingle, and my heart flutters. When we reluctantly drift apart, I put the back of my hand to my forehead. “I think I’ve fainted. Catch me, Kenobi.” I dramatically disintegrate in the doorway.
Her lip twitches. “How exactly did you fail drama class?”
“I was staring at you the whole time,” I say from the ground. “Obviously.”
“You realize I managed a B while I was staring at you.”
