Page 26 of Swan

“You know— What’s wrong, Swan?” He ducked his head to catch my misty gaze. His brows pinched, and he stepped close, cupping my cheeks.

I sniffed, blushing. I couldn’t believe I was about to cry in front of him just thinking about him leaving here.

“Allergies,” I lied, glancing away and back again.

He gave me a tight-lipped smile. “You remember me, right?”

I scrunched my nose, wondering where this was going. “Of course I do.”

“And I remember you, Swan. I know when something’s on your mind. I understand if you’re not yet comfortable with me to share, but?—”

I shook my head and blurted, “I am comfortable.”

The corner of his lips pulled up. “Okay then.”

Sighing, I dropped my forehead to his shoulder. “You’re leaving Australia Monday. I…. Knowing you’re going just got to me for a moment.” I lifted my head. “Sorry.”

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for, angel. Your reaction means you’re just as worried about missing each other as I am.”

Angel?

He called me angel.

He’d never done that before.

What did that mean?

“Y-You are?”

His palms ran down over my shoulders, arms, and he threaded his fingers through mine all while watching me. I gripped his tightly, staring up at him and breathing faster.

He was touching me a lot more than he ever had, sending my body into hyperdrive with every contact.

“Need you to think about something today and give me an answer tonight.”

I nodded, swallowing my heart.

“I was wondering if you’d want to come to Melbourne with me for the weekend.”

My belly whooshed.

I opened my mouth, but he shook his head. “Think about it, angel, and think about it in a way where you’re not just hanging out with a friend.”

My eyes widened as I sucked in a sharp breath.

Did he mean?—

“Crushed on you back in the day, and my feelings have never gone away, Swanny. I’d love to get us back to where we were as friends, but I also want more.”

Oh my God, oh my God.

Did I imagine his words?

“You….” I licked my suddenly dry lips and cleared my throat. I felt clogged at the back of my eyes and nose. I sniffed. “You do mean dating, right?”

“Yes, angel. You and me dating.”

“How would that work?”

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