AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He understood where her self-doubt was coming from. From her perspective, she’d been hurt multiple times, but he was different. “We’ve had enough time away from each other for me to know that is not what I want. I was stupid and pulled away, and it nearly destroyed our relationship. If I haven’t convinced you in the last few months how I feel, then just hang on with everything you have so I can prove it to you now.”
She nodded and nuzzled against him. “I love you, Eric.”
His heart leaped.
“It’s okay if you’re not there yet,” she said softly. “I just didn’t want to miss saying it before you left. I think I’ve loved you for a long time.”
Warmth filled him as she met his gaze. He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you too.”
He pressed his lips to hers in a slow, gentle kiss that he hoped she could draw from in his absence. “And this fall, when we’re seniors, I’ll be sure to remind you of that every day.”
She smiled as her eyes watered again. “I look forward to it.”
Before Eric went to sleep that night, he ran over to Holly’s new apartment where she’d already moved most of her stuff. He had a few surprises to set in place. It had taken most of his month’s savings, but he didn’t regret it.
After he stocked her shelves, he left notes in random spots so she could find them for the next few days to carry her through the hardest time of their long-distance relationship—the beginning. Hopefully, when work started for both of them, they’d be distracted enough to fill the aching gap.
Once he made it back to his apartment, his roommates were in the kitchen and living room cleaning. “You shouldn’t have waited until the last minute for that white glove inspection.”
“Shut it,” Justin said, a little rougher than usual.
“Whoa, what’s wrong?” Eric looked to Cameron.
“Aimee dumped him tonight. Said they’d pick up a relationship in the fall if it felt right. Diane said she felt the same.”
“Wait, what? Did you two break up too?”
Cameron shook his head. “Not yet. But she did say I could date other people.”
Eric stared at his two best friends. “What’s wrong with you two? Aren’t you going to fight for them? It’s only a few months, and we’ll all be back together.”
“A lot can happen,” Justin said. “Diane’s got her internship next year, and who knows where Aimee will end up once school is over.”
Eric sat on an armchair with a huff. “You two are wimps. At the first bit of distance, you’re giving up.”
“Aimee is the one who’s giving up on me,” Justin said, throwing his rag at him. Eric caught it with swift hands and sent it back to him.
“But did you fight it? Say you’ll only date her?”
“I can’t guarantee that. I told her I’d go visit her a few times, but she lives pretty far away. Plus, my parents aren’t thrilled that I’m seriously dating anyone before graduation. They want me to focus.”
“You were more focused with Aimee than you were single.”
Justin’s hard stare turned into a smirk. “I guess you’re right about that.”
“Go back and convince her that you two will work out.”
“I don’t know that for sure. Are you sure Holly is the only one who’s right for you? That you couldn’t make it work with anyone you’re interested in?”
The question stumped Eric. “Well, not exactly, but she’s the one I choose.”
The two other men grunted, but kept their attention on their cleaning. Was long distance so hard? After hearing about her roommates’ attitudes toward long distance, he was grateful Holly had even wanted to hold onto him.
He grabbed a rag to help with the cleaning. “Don’t get mad at me later when your girls have moved on to someone else because you’re both too wimpy to hold onto them.” Eric thought the jab would make him feel better, but other than giving them pause for a few seconds, he was the one leaving the room with doubts.
26
Holly
