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“It’s a great paper,” Bryce adds.
A sense of pride fills me, and I circle my arms around his waist. We go over to Quinn’s project, and she explains it to Bryce. Hers is more politically driven about the actual protests.
A woman walks up on stage and welcomes everyone. She points out the committee members in the crowd and then does a general congratulations and thanks for coming. The committee is going to be coming to each of the exhibits, hoping to meet us, so Bryce and I stay close to my work.
“This is really amazing.” I glance around the room.
“It is. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you for being here with me.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d be.” He bends and brushes a light kiss over my lips.
“Devon.” Professor Davis comes up with two men.
He introduces them, and they instantly ask questions. For the next hour, I talk to several people interested in my story. By the time the buffet is opened, I’m relieved. Talking about myself is exhausting.
“How do you feel about eating and getting out of here?” I whisper when we sit down.
“You sure? This is a big deal.”
“Yes, we’ve been here long enough. I think we’ve spoken to everyone involved.”
We eat quickly and find Quinn and Dean to say goodbye. She gives me a knowing look and winks. The cab ride back to the hotel seems to take forever, and by the time we get out, my body is humming.
When we get to the room, I grab my bag and start toward the bathroom. “Devon,” Bryce says lowly.
“Yeah?” My stomach sinks when I turn and see him. He looks unhappy. His arms are crossed and his stare is dark.
?
?Drop your bag and come here.”
I do as he says. Once in front of him, he moves quickly, both hands going to the sides of my head and lacing through my hair. Our eyes lock, and the heat in his expression isn’t anger; it’s desire.
“Tell me, Devon.”
“Tell you what?” I whisper.
“You know what. I heard you talking to Quinn this morning.”
Heat rushes to my face.
“Don’t, baby, don’t be embarrassed. Don’t get flushed. I feel it, too. It may have taken me a longer time to figure it out. I need to hear you say it.”
Fear hits me. It’s one thing to be in love with someone for all these years, but it’s another to actually say it out loud—to him.
“Please, Devon,” he pleads.
“I love you, Bryce.”
“Fucking finally. I love you, too, so much it hurts. I’ve always loved you in some way, but now it’s so powerful it consumes me. You’re all I think about. Every decision I’ve made lately revolves around you. You have the ability to destroy me.”
Two tears fall down my cheeks as the levity of his words sink in.
“You too, Bryce, you have the ability to destroy me. In my mind, you already did once, but now I know the difference. I had no idea back then the weight of these feelings.”
“Do you see a future with me? Can you imagine being with me—say, forever?”
