Page 117 of For the Win

“Yeah.”He picks up his beer and takes a few big gulps.“I understand, though.I understand if you’re not ready for a relationship.You’ve been through a lot.I’m not here to pressure you, I sure as hell don’t want to do that.I just wanted to apologize.If you need to be left alone, I accept that.”

I stare at him.“Oh.”

There’s another stretched-out silence weighted with uncertainty and unspoken questions.

“Is that what you want, Arya?”he asks quietly.

My mouth goes soft and my chest aches.I press a hand there.Is there still a chance for us?Once again, I need to be brave.I need to be honest.

“No,” I whisper.“That’s not what I want.”I blink at the prickle in my eyes.“I want you.”

His eyes widen and his jaw loosens.For a moment he says nothing.

I’m aware of my chest rising and falling with shallow, rapid breaths, but everything else has faded away, the people around us, the seagulls crying, the boats moving in the marina.

“Really?”he finally says.He sets down his beer and reaches across the table for my hands.

I give them to him, our fingers curling together tightly.“Really.”

He closes his eyes.I study his face.He’s so handsome, his wide mouth now pressed firm, his square jaw dusted with stubble, his thick eyebrows pulled together above his imperfect nose.Love for him expands rapidly in my chest, pinching off my airway so I can’t breathe.

When he lifts his eyelids, his blue eyes blaze at me, melting me.“I really want you too.”

I smile tremulously.

“That sounds all wrong,” he says hoarsely.“It’s a lot more than just wanting you.I want to be with you.Always.I’m falling in love with you, Arya.”

Now my lips really quiver, my heart knocking around in my chest.“I’m falling in love with you too.”

“Ah.”His fingers squeeze mine so tightly it almost hurts.

“Easy, big guy.”I wiggle my fingers, and he eases the pressure.

“Sorry, sorry.”

I smile.

“I’m so sorry for everything I did,” he goes on.“I can’t believe I was so insensitive.I could tell you were nervous sometimes, and I just steamrolled ahead.”

“You really didn’t,” I say softly.“You have no idea what steamrolling really is.”I roll my eyes.

“Christ.You’re right.”

“I needed to know that you were really interested in me,” I add.“I was afraid I was scaring you away with my insecurity.I’m glad that you didn’t give up on us.”

“Fuck.”He drops his head forward.“You’re amazing.You’re way too good for me.”

“No, I’m not.We’re good for each other, I think.”

He picks up his head.A slow smile pulls at his mouth.“Yeah.I agree.”He gives his head a shake.“We need to get out of here.I need to kiss the bejesus out of you.”

I laugh.“I’m good with that.”

26

HARRISON

“Your place or mine?”

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