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Vanessa’s eyes fall shut, her throat bobbing as she swallows. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t it? Then why were you so upset when you saw us together?”
“I-I…”
Her mouth is open, but when no words come out, I continue: “Because I’m not the douche of your ex. I figured you already knew that. I figured I’ve shown you that every single time since we’ve been together.” I grab her chin, lifting it, so she’s facing me. Silently, I wait for her to open her eyes and look at me. “I’m not your ex, Vanessa.”
“I know,” she whispers softly. “But seeing you with her…”
Her words trail off, and she looks away.
“Seeing me with her?”
Vanessa shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter. You’re leaving anyway.”
“I’m not leaving.”
That gets her attention. Her head snaps in my direction, a frown appearing between her brows. “What?”
“I’m not leaving. I got a job.” I watch those big eyes of hers widen even further. “They offered me a position at the high school here in Blairwood. I’m staying here. Blairwood has become my home.” I gently run my finger over her cheek, feeling her tremble under my touch. My voice drops lower as I ask: “So what’s going to be your excuse now?”
“I…”
“Because I want you, Vanessa.” I cup her cheeks. “I wantyou. Not Kelly. Not somebody else who you think might be more appropriate.You, Vanessa Dawson, have been the girl for me. I’ve wanted you ever since I first saw you, but you never gave me the time of day. I never thought you would, but then you gave me that tempting offer. A fling, just for the summer, and I took it. I took your deal because I knew that might be the only way I could have you, even if for just a little while when in reality, I wanted more. So much more.”
“Quinn…” she breaths, her lips parting.
“Vanessa?”
“I…” she clears her throat. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Tell me what worries you so I can make it better.” I skim my finger over her lower lip, fighting the need to lean down and press my mouth against hers. “Because I’ve thought it all through, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind. And then when you’re done, tell me to stay. Tell me you’ll give me, give us a chance. Arealchance this time around because I want you, Ness. I want to go to bed with you every night, and I want to get up next to you every morning. I want to build my life with you right here.” I lean down, pressing my forehead against hers. “Tell me to stay.”
“What if it doesn’t work out?” she sniffs softly, looking away.
Doesn’t work out?I almost snorted but somehow manage to hold it in.As if that’s a possibility at all.
I slide my finger under her chin and turn her to face me. “But what if it does?” I slide my finger over her cheekbone, brushing away the tears. “I know he hurt you, but I promise you right here, right now, if things don’t work out, if I’m not happy for some reason, I’ll come to you. We’ll figure it out together.”
“People will think we’re crazy. That you’re crazy.”
“Let them,” I shrug. “I don’t care about what any of them think. I. Want. You. With every fiber of my body.”
Silence falls over us, her soft sniffling filling the air. I hold my breath as I wait for her to say something, anything.
“I want you too, Quinn,” she says softly, so softly that it’s barely audible. Her fingers curl around my shirt, holding onto me. “Stay. I want you to stay. That’s why I came today. I talked to Kiara, and she told me some things…” She shakes her head. “It doesn’t even matter. I came to ask you to try this thing long-distance…”
“Fuck long-distance. I’m here.” I sink my fingers into her hair, tugging her head back as I crush my mouth over hers into a hard kiss. My mouth devours hers until I can hear her soft whimper. “I’m here to stay.”
“You better be because I’m not sure I could let you go.” Her fingers slide over my lower lip. “I saw John earlier. The girl he’s with… she’s pregnant.”
“How do you…”
“Visiblypregnant.”
But that would mean…
“That motherfucker,” I curse, gritting my teeth. How the fuck could he have done that to her?
