Her lips curve as she moves into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. Leaning back to look at me, she says, “That was Stu Waters of Jelly Records, and he wants to meet with me on Wednesday to discuss my career. Not an internship. My singing career.”

“Holy shit! That’s awesome, baby,” I yell, hugging her tightly before kissing her hard on the lips. “Told you you were awesome.”

She smiles shyly, tears in her eyes. “You sent him my demo.”

Grinning, I nod. “I’m behind you one hundred percent, Avery. I believe in you.”

When a tear rolls down her face, I wipe it away quickly and she whispers, “I’ve never had someone believe in me.”

“Well, that’s because people are dumb. I’m actually very smart. Ask my mom, she’ll tell you.”

Her face breaks into a grin before she presses her forehead to my chin. “I think I love you, Jace.”

Everything stops. My heart, my breathing, time, everything. Just stops.

“What?”

Pulling back, she nods slowly, her tears streaming down her face. “I love you.”

“You do?”

She smiles. “I knew I did before this moment, but I’ve been so scared to give you all of me because of what happened with Caleb. But I couldn’t fight the feelings. I’ve loved you for a while. But now… Now, I just have to tell you. And if you don’t love me yet, I understand, but I—”

“I love you,” I say quickly, gathering her face in my hands as my eyes burn into hers. “I think I’ve loved you since the moment I met you.”

A sob breaks from her as she hugs me tightly, but that isn’t enough. Pulling away, I capture her mouth. For some reason, they’re different, our kisses. They mean more. They hold so much promise, and as our lips dance together, I know I’ll never have a more perfect moment than this.

Pulling back, she looks deep into my eyes and whispers, “Say it again, Jace.”

God, she is so perfect. Her eyes are hopeful, her cheeks flushed, but what I see most in the depths of those turquoise eyes is that she loves me. Completely. I think I’ve always seen it, but I wasn’t sure. Now I know. Smiling, I clear my throat free of emotion and whisper back, “I love you, Avery Rose Haverbrooke.”

Her name still scares me, especially the people behind that name. But that’s a distant thought as she grins, her tears falling faster down her sweet face as she nods. “I think I’ve been waiting to be loved by you. My whole life.”

And with that, suddenly my eyes start to itch.

Not because I’m a pussy.

It’s allergies.

And maybe because I’m so in love it hurts.

And also because I know I’ve been waiting my whole life to love someone like her.

Me: I think I’m gonna puke.

Jace: You’re not gonna puke, you got this.

Me: I can’t sit still, I think I’m having a panic attack! Did I take my meds??

Jace: You did, baby, you’re fine. This is your moment. Live it.

Me: I’m scared. What if he hates me? What if he thinks I suck! What if I forget the lyrics??

Jace: That won’t happen and it’s just a meeting, you don’t even have your guitar.

Me: What if he gives me one? What do I sing?!

Jace: My song.

Tags: Toni Aleo Bellevue Bullies Romance
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