Page 64 of Only You

“Bobby adored you,” I said. “I wish I could have bottled up everything he ever said to me about you, just so I could uncork it, and you could hear it now.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Daniel spoke to the sky again. “But I promise to take care of Milky Way and this one—” he lifted my hand again. “Happy travels. I hope heaven treats you better than earth did.”

“Hear, hear,” I added.

Daniel moved so his arms were around me, and we slid back and forth slowly until I started to drift off.

“Let’s go back inside,” Daniel murmured, helping me to my feet. I rubbed at my eyes and realized I needed to take out my contacts.

As I did so in Bobby’s hallway bathroom, using the kit I’d brought along, Daniel watched me with curiosity.

“What?” I asked, after I’d fished out the second contact and put it in the saline solution.

“You’re great.”

“You too.”

“No, it’s more than that.”

I looked at him in the mirror as I slid on my glasses, packed up my kit, and got out my toothbrush. Tomorrow was going to be an early morning, but I was buzzing with new affection and post-sex bliss. Even though we’d lost our friend and were now staying in his house for painful and complicated reasons, my heart was still soaring. “How’s it more?”

“It’s bad timing, and it’s too soon, but I’m falling in love with you.”

I blinked at him. Turning around, I tugged him into a hug. A response was stuck in my throat. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel the same, but the last time I told a guy I loved him…

Everything had gotten so messed up.

That wasn’t going to happen with Daniel, but I wanted to be safe and sure.

“You don’t have to say it back,” Daniel said, chin hooked over my shoulder and his arms around me. “Don’t worry. It’s okay.”

I kissed him. Was I being like Adam, distracting from a potential problem with physical affection and sex? Maybe. But I wasn’t ready to say I loved Daniel quite yet.

Adored him? Sure. Wanted him? Definitely. Admired him? Yes.

But when the day came that I told Daniel I loved him, I wanted there to be no doubt in my mind or his that I meant it with all my heart and soul.

So we’d both just have to wait.

Chapter Thirteen

‡

The next morning,I arrived on campus early since Bobby’s house was closer to UT than my own. In the peachy-orange morning light, I sat in my car sipping terrible coffee I’d picked up at McDonald’s.

I fondled the film rolls in my backpack, hoping for a chance to develop them soon. I was dying to see the photos we’d taken of each other. So filthy, so intimate. My heart pounded, and I blushed just thinking of it.

I wished Robert didn’t sleep so late. I’d have loved to call him from a pay phone just to hear his voice, but also to confide in him and express what I was feeling. The elation in my heart, the feeling that the world was spinning just a little too fast, and I was drunk-dizzy from it. I knew he’d hoot and tease me, but he’d be happy to hear it. Alas, given his schedule, he’d be asleep for at least three more hours.

I considered killing the extra time by going to see my dad in his office but realized that would be a bad move—because while he’d be better than my mom about me staying overnight with Daniel, he was still sure to ask questions I didn’t want to answer.

I wondered what I looked like with this fresh influx of sweet hope and shiny adoration in my bloodstream. I pulled the rearview mirror over and noticed the glossy shine to my eyes, the flush in my cheeks, and the giddy energy beneath my skin.

I wished I had more film to capture myself and the echoing beauty of the sunrise still painting the sky.

At last, it was time to hustle to my first class of the day.

I didn’t know if Daniel had talked to Minty about what was going on between us. I didn’t even know if Minty knew about Bobby’s death yet. I decided to say nothing about Daniel and me as I took my usual place next to Jennifer. She was studying, so I didn’t bother her as I got settled.

---