Page 170 of You Said I Was Your Favorite

I sit up straighter, my hand dropping back into my lap.

I’m not going to break. I refuse to.

“Arch mentioned you had a strong spirit, though I don’t think he phrased it quite that way.” Her smile is small. “I think he said that when you believe in something, you don’t back down from it.”

My heart starts to pound harder. Where is she going with this?

“And I get the feeling that you believe in my Arch,” she continues, a delicate brow rising. “You’re in love with him?”

I can’t answer. The words get stuck in my throat. All I can manage is a nod.

“He’s in love with you. I see the way he looks at you. You could break his heart, I think. And that’s a powerful position to have.” She leans forward, as if to share a secret, and I find myself leaning forward as well, eager to hear what she has to say. “When a Lancaster falls in love, they tend to do it when they’re young and passionate, and they put their whole heart into the relationship. You’ll be overwhelmed by their love, but in the best possible way.” She pauses. “Consider yourself lucky, Daisy.”

Edie returns to the room, plopping herself onto the edge of the chair I’m sitting on and I scoot over, giving her more room. “What did I miss?” she gushes.

Her mother leans back in her chair, sharing a secret look with me. “Nothing, darling. Daisy was telling me about her future college plans.”

The conversation shifts back to college, Miriam drilling Edie on what she might want to do and I watch them speak, replaying what Miriam said in my mind.

Consider yourself lucky, Daisy.

I am.

I’m the luckiest girl in the world.

EPILOGUE

Arch

Graduation day

“…congratulationsto the graduating class of Lancaster Prep!” Headmaster Matthews yells into the microphone, a big grin on his face.

I’d bet good money the only reason he’s smiling is because he’s glad my ass is finally out of here.

Feeling is mutual, Matthews.

We all leap to our feet, tossing our graduation caps into the air, hundreds of them flying, spinning in the sky. I turn to Daisy and haul her into my arms, hugging her tight and she squeezes me right back, her arms around my neck in an almost stranglehold. I pull away slightly, pressing my lips to hers and she kisses me back with just as much intensity, her happiness bleeding into me.

Mine seeping into her.

“Was the speech really okay?” she asks me at one point as we’re wandering around the field, taking endless photos with friends and family and staff members. Viv even took a photo with us, standing in the middle, a giant smile on her face.

I think she believes she somehow had a hand in our getting together and I don’t mind giving her a little credit.

“Your speech was amazing.” I slip my arm around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. “Best valedictorian speech this school has ever seen.”

“Okay, no need to exaggerate.” She rolls her eyes but I can tell she’s pleased. And that’s all I want.

To please my girl. Make her smile. Make her moan.

Whoops. My thoughts just veered into dirty territory, which is a chronic problem, I can’t lie.

“Seriously, Daze. It was perfect. And you did great.” Her voice only a shook a little in the beginning but then she glanced down at me, like she sought me out to give her a little strength and I nodded. Gave her a thumbs up gesture which made her smile and that seemed to take care of her nerves.

People cheered and clapped for her when she was finished and I’ve never seen her look prouder. I was proud too. My girl is smart. Strong. She’s going to do amazing things.

In a year though. After we travel the world together.

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