I was feeling awkward and uncomfortable around Max right now, and it was the first time I’d felt like that since we became friends. I hated it, but it wasn’t just because he didn’t feel he could trust me with his obvious secret, but because I loved him, because I planned on telling him that tonight.
“Maybe I should go.” I said that more to myself than to him, and as I walked around the breakfast counter, I realized it wasn’t like I could escape this awkwardness. He’d driven me here. I was at his home. And the pain in my heart intensified, my chest becoming so tight I couldn’t breathe.
But just as I would have passed him, unsure where I was even going to go, he reached out and took hold of my hand with his. His skin was warm, his palm and fingers big as he engulfed mine.
“Abigail,” he said softly, but his voice was husky. The unspoken emotion was clear.
This was it. This was the part where he told he loved someone, that he hadn’t told me, because he thought it would make things weird between us, that we couldn’t hang out like we used to.
And I held my breath, waiting for that shoe to drop.
Chapter Seven
Abigail
We held each other’s gazes for long seconds, and it was when I heard him exhale that I finally breathed out, realizing I’d been holding my breath.
“Those conversation hearts are ones I had custom made,” he said softly, still holding my hand, his thumb moving along the back of my hand. “They were made for the girl I care deeply about.” He swallowed, this wide-eyed look crossing his face. “I love this girl, Abigail. I love her more than anything else.”
God. That hurt. That hurt so badly I was about to cry.
“What’s her name?” Did I really want to know? God, I felt so damn on edge right now, felt like I was going to pass out if he let go.
Just tell him, tell him how you feel.
“Her name,” he whispered. “Her name is Abigail.”
The world was spinning as I listened to him. “What? You fell in love with someone named Abigail?” My head was fuzzy, my body buzzing. I heard the blood rushing in my ears, my body feeling flushed.
He smiled and slowly shook his head. “You’re so fucking cute, Abigail.” He took a step closer to me. “And that’s what made me fall in love with you when I was thirteen years old.”
The air rushed out of me, and I felt my eyes widen even more. “What?” I squeaked out.
In that instant, everything in me went on high alert, became ultrasensitive. My shirt rubbed against my breasts, making my nipples harden. I felt dirty for feeling this arousal after what he’d just said, but in a good way.
I wanted to tell him I loved him too.
He took a step closer until our chests were almost touching. “Did you hear me, Abigail? I love you. Those hearts are for you. I meant to spread them out for you on Valentine’s Day, to finally be honest with how I feel for you.”
My nerves were shot, my throat was dry and tight, and I felt like if I tried to say anything I’d trip over my words.
“Abigail, sweetheart, please say something to me. I’m a nervous fucking wreck right now.”
I took one more deep breath and just went for it. “You love me?”
He didn’t answer for a second and lifted his hand to run it over the strands of my hair that lay against my cheek. He pushed the hair behind my ear, and I felt tingles race up my spine from that touch. “Have you never seen the way I look at you? What about the way I have never been with a girl, never dated anyone?” He gave me a small smile. “What about how I’d do anything for you, that for me, Abigail… for me, it’s only you.” He tipped my head back with his hand on my cheek, and I stared into his eyes. “Yes, Abigail. Yes, I love you so much. I’m in love with you.”
My heart was beating so hard, so fast, that I swore he’d be able to hear it, see it beating rapidly under my flesh.
He didn’t move. I couldn’t speak, and he still held my gaze, still made me feel like he could see right inside my soul.
“I don’t want you to ever love anyone but me.” His voice sounded like he was pleading.
He lowered his gaze to my mouth.
Oh, God. I felt like I could burst into flames right here and now. I could have closed my eyes at the pleasure that went through me at hearing him say that. I was terrified of hearing him say those words, because I’d wanted them for so long that finally hearing them scared me.