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“It’ll change everything.”
“Damn right it’ll change everything,” he said, and then leaned forward. “I’ve wanted you since I was sixteen-years-old. I thought you wanted me too, but when you didn’t, I buried all that shit. Buried it down deep so it didn’t ruin our friendship or change anything between us. But God damn it, Willa, burying it wasn’t the same as killing it. Do you know how many nights I’ve lain awake wondering what it would’ve been like if you’d made a different decision. If you’d decided that summer that you wanted me?”
“We were too young,” I protested. “We didn’t know what we wanted.”
“How easy that lie just rolled off your tongue,” he said bitterly. “You want to know why no other relationship in your life ever worked out?”
“Why don’t you tell me,” I said. “Since you claim to know me so well.”
“Babe,” he drawled with an infuriating smile. “I know you better than you know yourself. Which is why I played the long game.”
“What the hell are you even talking about?”
“That night we hooked up…you admit that it was you who came on to me?”
“You didn’t stop me…”
“Damn right I didn’t. You needed a man to show you what it was like to feel like a real woman. That fucker you were dating sure as hell didn’t know what to do with a woman like you. Well, I showed you, didn’t I? I showed you what you needed.”
I suddenly didn’t care that we were in a restaurant. And that other people could hear our dirty laundry. This was a storm that had been brewing for years, and now it was time for lightning.
“I didn’t stop you that night,” he repeated. “But you don’t get to go down this road with me if you’re not prepared for what it really means.”
“What’s it really mean?” I asked, my voice breathy.
“It means you and I are going to belong to each other, Willa. It means when it happens, you’re choosing to be with me. And even if you wanna keep it secret a while longer, you gotta know that when I look at you from across whatever room we’re in, I’m going to be thinking about the fact that you’remywoman and I’ve claimed you.”
I swallowed.
“I chose you a long time ago. And I think, if you really dig deep, you’ve always known that. And it scares the hell out of you.”
“It does,” I whispered. “You know it does.”
“It’s why I haven’t pushed harder than I have.”
“You’re pushing now.”
“It’s the right time. Again,youcame to me that night.”
“You wanted it,” I pointed out. “You admit that every time we talk about it. All you asked me that night was, ‘are you sure?’”
“And the moment you said yes it was done.” He smiled slightly. “What’s the problem now? Is it me you’re unsure about? What’s stopping you from letting yourself be happy?”
“No. No, it’s not you. It’s me.”
“Yeah, I knew that, I just wanted you to admit it out loud.”
“Jerk,” I huffed a laugh.
“I get it. Your life is insane. Your mom bailed, you’ve got Waverly to take care of, you’re in the beginning stages of getting your business off the ground. You’ve got a lot on your plate. But you’re allowed to have something just for yourself.”
“You mean, I’m allowed to have you?” I asked with humor.
“Just say the word and I’m yours. I’m ready for this. I want you. I wanted you then. I want you now. I’m not going to stop wanting you. Ever.”
His eyes were intense and his words made warmth bloom in my belly.
“You’ve always been the one thing I could count on.” I bit my lip. “You and Savage.”
