A single word echoes in my head like a drum, a beat I can’t ignore.
Love.
I’m falling in love with this woman.
I have been for some time, I think.
God,I’m a fucking idiot.
How could I be so stupid?
No wonder I can’t stay away from her.
No wonder I want to touch her every chance I get.
No wonder I’m happier when she’s around, like none of my problems exist.
No wonder there’s a sour taste in my mouth when I think about letting her go.
I’m fucking obsessed with her.
Laughter slips out of me, and my shoulders shake as I try to hold it together.
“What’s so funny?” she asks.
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You’re laughing like a hyena.”
“Is that what you think I sound like?”
“Well, you do. Your voice got all high and squeaky.” She side-eyes me, but she scoots closer, too. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I clutch her hand like it’s my lifeline. I trace over her knuckles. The space between her fingers and the back of her palm.
Mine, I think.
All mine.
Of all the people in the world, this is the one that stormed into my life.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m the luckiest fucking guy in the universe.
“I’m okay.” I drop a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m better than okay. I’m happy.”
“Me, too.” She’s quiet for a minute, and I wonder if she fell asleep. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course you can.”
“Could we—maybe next year, could we come back?” she asks, so soft I’m afraid it’s going to be snatched out of the air. “I’d like to be here with you again. This place is starting to feel like a safe space for me, too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She pauses then adds, “but maybe that’s because I’m with you.”
I grin like an idiot.