Page 89 of Breakaway Goal

I shake my head while a sentimental smile plays on my lips.

“Peach tea is my favoritebecauseit’s your favorite. I just loved the idea of us always sharing the same drink. That’s how everything is with me, Maddie. Vanilla is my favorite flavor of ice cream because it reminds me of the scent of your hair. Blue is my favorite color because it’s the color of your eyes. Haven’t you noticed? All my favorites are because of you.”

Her eyes go glossy with emotion, and I gently lower my forehead to press against hers.

Everywhere above our necks is cold from the crispy air, except for the spark of warmth where our skin touches. As we exhale, the chill makes the mingling of our breaths visible in the sunlight that slants through the bare branches.

The sight makes me reflect on how every aspect of myself, my heart, my mind, my personality, my memories are utterly entwined with the girl in front of me.

I think it’s time.

“Maddie …”

“Rhys?”

My eyelids flutter closed for a moment as I draw in a deep, fortifying breath. I open my eyes, my gaze reaching into Maddie’s.

“I don’t want us to stop,” I say.

I can’t pull in a breath for the silent beat of time that passes.

“I don’t either,” she answers.

“It’s not just that,” I continue. “I want it to be …” I swallow past the knot in my throat. “More.”

Another breathless moment of time stretches out.

“So do I,” she says.

Relief and joy weave through the entirety of my being, sinking into my soul.

I search for words to express the happiness that glows in my chest, but I can’t find any. My lips don’t know how to form any sounds that measure up to what I feel in my heart. There’s only one thing my lips can do that feels appropriate.

They close over Maddie’s, and I kiss her deep, both of us putting all our feelings that words can’t do justice to into the slant of our lips.

We’re already this far, there’s no point in holding back any further. No point in keeping from her how I’ve felt for so many damn years.

“Fuck, Maddie. You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed about this moment.”

Her eyelids pull back, something flashing in her eyes. “Really?”

I husk a laugh, my lips tugging. “Really.”

Her long eyelashes flutter like wings as she blinks away the moisture in her eyes. She bites at her bottom lip as she smiles. “Me, too.”

Her words spear me through the chest. “Really?”

She laughs at the conversational echo. “Really.”

My jaw opens, but I’m so taken aback that it takes me a moment to untie the knot my tongue is in. “How long?”

She shrugs. Her smile pulls higher. “Long enough that I can’t even remember when it started.”

I pull her close to me, tucking my chin on top of her head so her face presses against my chest and the smell of her hair swims in my nose.

“Me, too,” I breathe. We’re like broken records at this point, but what else is there to say?

Her arms curl around me, and she pulls herself close. I close my own arms tighter around the back of her shoulders, and we just stand there, holding each other as close as we can.

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