“I love you.” I couldn’t hold back the words anymore. I’d been wanting to say them for so long, and I wanted him to hear them, to know the depth of my feelings for him.
His eyes widened as he stared down at me, and then a huge grin spread across his face. “Say it again.”
“I love you. I. Love. You.” My smile was as wide as his. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same yet.”
He held my gaze. “Avery, I love you. I’ve loved you for longer than you realise. Longer than I even realised, probably. You mean everything to me.”
“I feel the same.” I sighed and wrapped my arms around him, leaning my head on his chest. “If this is a dream, don’t wake me up.”
He chuckled. “It’s definitely not a dream. And if you want further proof of my love for you, check the list again. I wouldn’t suffer through that for anyone else.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have a look.” Holding up his phone so I could see it, he scrolled down the list, all the way to the following day, and pointed to an item that simply said, “7:15 p.m. – H (starts 8 p.m.).”
“H?” I stared at him; my brow furrowed.
“Do you want me to give you a clue?”
“No, not yet. Let me think about this. H. Hmm.” I tapped my lip, deep in thought. “Starts at eight.”
Ethan grinned at me. “Are you sure you don’t want a clue?”
“No. Actually, yes. Go on, then.”
“Okay.
Think Broadway.”
“Broadway? Broadway?” My voice grew high-pitched in my excitement. “Ethan! Have you booked us tickets to Hamilton?” My mouth dropped open.
“I have. Best seats in the house.”
“We’re going to see Hamilton!” My screech was loud enough to be heard all over Manhattan. “This is the best day of my life. I love you.”
“I take it you’re pleased with my choice?”
“I’m blown away. You. Are. Incredible.”
“I thought you’d like it.” Still grinning, clearly pleased with himself, he glanced at his watch. “We need to get ready to leave. We have a private sightseeing tour booked, and the car will be here to pick us up in twenty minutes.”
“I can’t wait. I’m just going to text Liv to tell her about Hamilton before we go so I can give my full attention to the tour.” Over the past two months, Olivia and I had grown closer, and I now considered her my best friend. I had to share this news with her.
Me: Guess what?
Olivia replied straight away, even though according to the time difference it was 9:10 a.m. back in London, and by all accounts she should have been working. I’d hazard a guess that while Ethan was away, my colleagues were taking a more relaxed attitude to work.
Olivia: What? Tell me! BTW Luke is getting on my last nerve.
Me: Already? You’ve only been there ten minutes LOL
Olivia: Yep. It’s a record. Anyway tell me your news!
Me: Ethan got us Hamilton tickets! And he planned out this whole list of stuff for us to do while we’re here, all the things I wanted to do.
Olivia: *heart eyes emoji* Aww, I’m legit swooning here
Me: Also…something else happened…