Page 72 of From the Sidelines

“Here I am.” She spins and it’s official: I’m obsessed with her. The sound of glass breaking pulls her attention from me to wherever Zack is causing some chaos. She rolls her eyes but doesn’t look annoyed in the slightest. “I have to check on that, but you and me… later. Okay? I want to know everything.” She squeezes my shoulder as she heads to wherever Zack is sweeping up glass shards.

When it’s just the two of us, Tyson waves me over to the patio.

Snow drifts and sparkles through the February night as the sun starts to go down. The outdoor space has fire tables and containers of steamy cocktails—wouldn’t expect anything less from the host that is Zack Andersen.

Tyson grabs a mug and fills it with a ‘boozy even though we loozy’ hot chocolate. We both laugh at the name, and I make a mental note to tell Zack that it made usactuallylaugh.Tyson takes a spot on a loveseat, blankets and pillows strewn about, and I sit next to him. He immediately wraps a blanket around our shoulders.

I take a sip of my hot chocolate—definitely boozy and absolutely delicious—and lean into Tyson.

“Do you remember the last time we were outhere?” he asks, taking a sip of his own hot cocoa.

I nod, grinning. “Yes. Halloween. Could never forget.” I bump my shoulder into his.

His eyes turn to me, blue and bright. “I wanted to kiss you so bad. And then someone came out here yelling about coffee beans.” Tyson laughs—the kind that warms my belly.

He’s right. It was the closest almost—the moment we were about to cross. “The most epic I-think-you’re-going-to-kiss-me-but-you-never-do moment,” I say, almost mocking myself as I go back to the phrase.

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, Tyson’s lips are on mine. The kiss is sweet and full, like a promise we’re both eager to keep.

When he pulls back, his forehead presses to mine as he murmurs, “I’m always going to kiss you, Blair Miller. Every chance I get.”

“I know you will,” I reply before pressing my lips back to his.

I’ve never trusted anything the way I trust us. Tyson lifts me up, challenges me, and somehow always makes the world feel steadier beneath my feet. I’m desperate—in the best way—to see what’s next for us.

Because wherever that is, whatever comes our way, we’ll choose each other. We’ll fight for this love in every city, every season, and every adventure.

It’s time to be all in. Together. No more loving each other from the sidelines.

THE END