He eyes me. “Liar.”
“No, really. Every word is how I feel about you.”
“Me too,” he admits, his eyes searching mine. “We’ve always been together, Ally. And one thing I realized while we were apart, I don’t like who I am without you.”
My chest aches. “I don’t either.”
“Well, at least you’re not super boring,” he says hopelessly, and I laugh. “Or lonely. I was so lonely, and I don’t know, but there could be a chance I’m not funny.”
I snort at that, shaking my head. “You’re hilarious.”
“See? I need you, Ally T. You make me who I am.”
“Same.” Oh, heart, here we go. Is this really happening?
I think it is.
“I’m really sorry, Ally.”
“I don’t want an apology, Asher. I want you.”
His lips curve but also wobble as his eyes burn into mine. Love is pouring from his gaze and warming every single inch of me. “I’ve waited my entire life to love someone with my whole being.”
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
“These last six days have wrecked me.”
“Me too.”
“But I needed them.”
“I really didn’t. I got more in my head, and I was ready to let you go.”
“You’re kidding.”
I assure him with my eyes. “Seriously, I made myself live without you so I’d know I can.”
He shakes his head. “Well, that’s not happening,” he says sternly. “You’re mine.”
“I am, Asher.” My eyes search his. “But are you mine?”
He doesn’t even hesitate. “Entirely.”
He holds the can up to his mouth and urges me with his eyes to lift it to my ear. He doesn’t have to say anything for me to know that. Without breaking our intense gaze, I slowly lift it up to my ear as tears roll down my face. Once it’s there, he exhales heavily, and into the can, he says, “I can’t believe this, but I’m about to tell you something in this can I’ve never said to anyone and meant.”
My hand is shaking as I move the can, bringing it to my mouth. “What?”
He waits for me to bring it back to my ear before he says, “I am in love with you, Ally T.”
I don’t move the can. “Ash B, you better not be saying that to keep me around.”
He slowly shakes his head. “I’m not. I love you. I always have, I always will, and I’m pretty sure since you unleashed all these feelings, I’m never going to stop saying it.”
My eyes slowly fall shut as I drop the can and cover my face, emotion taking over. A sob racks my body as I look through my fingers at him. “You promise?’
“I promise.”
As my tears cloud my vision, I whisper, “I have to tell you something.”