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Chloe wraps her arms around my neck, pushing herself closer to me and enveloping me in her warmth. I just stand there, frozen, as a spark zaps down my spine.
She looks up at me with furrowed brows. “Why are you just standing there?” Taking hold of my arms, she closes them around her waist.
“You should be dancing with him,” I say. And when I mean him, I mean the part of me I wish I could be but never will be.
She lowers her gaze to the floor. “He didn’t feel like I was worth it.”
I move my lips to her ear. “Then he’s an idiot. And a jerk.”
“A total jerk,” she whispers.
“The jerk of all jerks.”
She draws back and smiles sadly at me. “Thanks for being there for me. And for looking out for me and protecting me. I was an idiot and didn’t see what you saw.”
“Chloe…”
“I know, I know. Let’s not talk about that jerk. He’s ruining my perfect dance with my perfect bestie.”
I search her eyes, looking—hoping—for a clue that will tell me she sees me as more than a friend. But I don’t see anything.
“Yeah. Bestie.”
She rests her cheek on mine again. “I just want to feel the music. Is that okay?”
I shut my eyes. “Totally okay. Whatever you want, just ask.”
“But what about you? What do you want?”
I tighten my arms around her. “For you to be happy.”
“And I want you to be happy.”
We’re quiet as we sway to the beat of the music. I glance around. No one other than Willow even notices Chloe and me dancing together. It doesn’t cross anyone’s mind that she and I could ever be…
Maybe because they’re right.
Chloe lowers her head on my chest, right by my heart. Does she feel it pounding? My hand smooths down her silky hair, my mind wandering to a different time and place, where she and I are actually together.
We dance for a bit longer, and the only thing I could think about is that I need to tell her. The secret admirer promised he’d reveal himself tonight and I must deliver. It’s time I stop being a coward and hurting the person I love.
Her cheek is pressed to mine now, her skin so soft and smooth I feel so right and calm. But I know it won’t last long.
“Chloe,” I whisper in her ear. “It’s me.”
She sighs dreamily like she’s so comfortable in my arms. “Hmm?”
“I’m him. He’s me.”
“What?”
I draw back and gaze into her eyes. “The secret admirer…Mr. Love…he’s me.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chloe
I stare up into Liam’s eyes, his words echoing in my head. But they’re not taking residence in my mind.
