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Wait, is that what he’s doing?
“I’m in love with you, Hope. Always have been. Always will be. No matter what happens, it will always be you. You have to know that by now.”
“It’s always been you too,” I admit, leaning forward to set my wine glass on the coffee table in front of me. Alec mirrors my actions, turning toward me at the exact moment I turn toward him.
“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?” he asks.
“Because there is.”
“No.” He shakes his head, abruptly pushing to his feet. “No! For years you’ve pushed me away. Told me why we can’t be together. I’m not listening to it anymore. There’s nothing stopping us. You graduated. I graduated. Lucy knows everything. There is absolutely nothing standing in our way.”
“Have you forgotten that we live hundreds of miles from each other?”
“Actually, we don’t.”
“What do you mean we don’t?” I look up at him, confusion the most prominent thing I feel.
“When I found out you were home, I didn’t hesitate. I tied up my loose ends, packed everything worth bringing, and I drove seventeen hours straight here.”
“Wait, what?” My confusion deepens.
“I’m done doing this dance we’ve been doing the last few years. I want you in my life, Hope, and there isn’t a thing in this world I’m not willing to give up to make sure that happens.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I love you and that I want to be with you. No, Ineedto be with you.” He turns, kneeling down in front of me. “I need you like I need air to breathe. You are the only thing that has ever felt right to me. Theonlything. You are my home, Hope Russell. You always have been.”
“Alec,” I choke, emotion building in my throat.
“I know all the reasons why you think we can’t be together, but the truth of the matter is, none of that matters anymore. The only thing standing in our way is us. I’m here. I’m in New York. And I will be here for as long as you want me here.”
“I... I can’t let you give up everything.”
“Give up everything?” He smiles. “Hope Russell,youare my everything. Tell me you love me. Tell me you want this too.”
“You know I do, but...”
He kneels down and presses his fingers gently to my lips, silencing me. “No buts. Do you want me or don’t you?”
I reach up and wrap my fingers around his wrist, tugging his hand away.
“I do,” I admit, knowing there’s nothing I want more than to be with him.
“Then I’m yours.”
With that, he leans in and presses his lips to mine.
My entire body comes to life at his touch. Every ounce of pain and guilt I’ve carried with me fades to the background. My path has never been more clear. I know what I want. I’ve always known.
Alec’s fingers tangle in the back of my hair and he tugs me closer, deepening the kiss. I groan into his mouth, sparks of desire flicking through my body like tiny fireworks.
A year apart and it’s like no time has passed at all.
“Alec.” I pull away, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.
“Whatever you’re going to say, don’t. We’ve already said all that matters. It’s you and me now, Hope. You and me. The way it was always meant to be.”
“I love you.” Tears prick the backs of my eyes. “I’m so sorry. For everything I put you through. For all my indecision and uncertainty.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” He silences me with another kiss. “Just say you’re mine. Tell me you’ll be mine forever,” he mutters against my lips.
“I’m yours,” I promise, knowing there’s never been a more true statement in the world. I am his. And it’s about time I stop fighting that and start embracing it.
I’ve loved him since I was sixteen years old. I’ve dreamt about this day since we ran into one another in the hallway. Of a day when he would be mine. And now that it’s here, I can’t think of a single reason to stop it. And I don’t want to either.
I’ve caused so much damage trying to fight my feelings for him. Had I been up front from the beginning, I would have saved both of us a lot of time and heartache.
And while Lulu still weighs heavy on my mind, I know that this is the right choice. I can feel it deep in my bones. I was put on this earth to love Alec Murray. And I plan to do so until my dying breath.
