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I raise my head off his shoulder.
“I just want you to know that I appreciate everything about you. I thought you needed me to be someone else, which is why I pretended to be someone I’m not. But the truth is that you’ve always accepted me the way I am. I was just too stupid to see it.”
I slip my hand into his. “Of course. I love everything about you, Liam. I…”
He raises his hand to my cheek. “I know,” he whispers. “I love you, too, Chloe.”
I shake my head. “I want to say it.” I release a breath. “I love you, Liam Hastings. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I know we’re way too young to be talking about the rest of our lives, but our parents did it. I know we can, too.”
“I feel the same way,” he murmurs as he caresses my cheek with the back of his finger. “There’s no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Our gazes drop to each other’s lips. Slowly, we move closer. Closer and closer. It feels like a million years pass until I finally feel his warm lips on mine. My eyes flutter shut as his lips move over mine in the sweetest, gentlest manner. Like he’s trying to savor every moment because this means so much to both of us. His arms wrap around me as he pulls me close to his body. Until there’s no space between us. His lips continue moving leisurely against mine, just as sweetly, but after a short while, they pick up a little. Even though his kisses are gentle, they’re full of passion and longing and promise. Promise that he will do whatever it takes to make me happy, to protect me, to care for me, to be the shoulder I need to lean on and cry on, to be the person to joke around with. To be the person he can get even closer to.
When we pull apart, he presses his forehead to mine. “Thanks so much for being who you are, Chloe. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life learning even more about you and sharing every moment with you. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’ll spend my days cherishing you.”
I wrap my hands around the back of his neck, tugging his lips closer to mine. After another make out session, I whisper, “What are you talking about? I don’t know whatIdid to deserveyou. You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to love you, and have you love me.”
“I’d argue that you’re the amazing one, but I’d rather spend my time kissing you.”
With a laugh, we do just that. I don’t know how much time passes, and I think the temperature drops. And then I hear something ringing. “Is that Evie?” I ask. “Maybe she’s wondering where we are.”
“Can’t we ignore her?” Liam asks.
“Maybe for another five minutes?”
With smiles, we continue making out.
Chapter Forty-Two
Chloe
My friends, Liam, the guys, and I walk into school and gather at my locker. We’re talking about many things, likeSwords and Legends, book club, and basketball. Liam and I are holding hands and smiling at one another like we can’t get enough of each other.
I wish I could pull him close and kiss him senseless, but the VP is walking around and I don’t want to get detention.
I was worried our friend dynamic would change, but everything is exactly how it was. Except I have a boyfriend now! The perfect boyfriend.
“Oh please,” Willow says as we argue about a movie we watched. “That was the lamest part of the whole thing.”
I open my locker and a note tumbles to the floor. My eyes widen as I stare at it. “What’s this?” I sweep it up and unfold it.
“A love note!” Lily gushes. “I wonder from who?”
I quickly scan the words.
Chloe, Chloe, Chloe
Words can’t encompass how much you mean to me
The moon and stars shine bright in the sky
But you’re the only shining star in my eye
I love you dearly, you have changed my world
Sitting with you, our arms and toes curled
Around each other like I’ll never let go
