Page 115 of Wallflower

"Shh," Dare said, "it's my turn now."

I nodded.

"I was jealous when I found out you'd confessed to Ty. So jealous, flower. He was my best friend, but I truly hated him when I thought you wanted him over me." Dare shook his head. "It scared me, my feelings for you. I didn't want to tell you because I thought there was no way you'd feel the same. I'm just not that lucky."

He wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer.

"I told myself to leave you alone. I'd done it all these years. What was one more? But then you came to me with that crazy scheme about getting revenge, and I couldn't resist."

Dare lowered a kiss to my temple.

"It allowed me to do things like that…and more."

I shivered but didn't say anything, afraid he'd stop talking.

"I got to know you better, flower, and everything I found out just made me want you more. Your sarcasm, your mind, your heart. Those animals you care for? I wished I was one of them because they had your full attention, and I felt like that's all I wanted."

I gasped as his hands flexed on my waist.

"That cello you love so much? I wanted to be it so bad if only for the chance to be so close to you."

I held my breath as he pressed his forehead to mine.

"I love you," he said simply. "Always have, flower. Always will."

It took me a second to find my voice.

"But I thought you didn't believe in love."

"I didn't," he said. "Until I met you."

Melting. I was melting with every word.

"Can I kiss you now? Before your father comes and drags me away?"

"Oh yes, please."

And then his lips were all I knew. Every press was better than the last, every caress I felt down to the tips of my toes. His mouth was like the air I hadn't even known I'd been missing until I could finally breathe him in. Oh, I would never get tired of kissing him.

We broke apart minutes, hours, who-knew-how-long later.

But Dare was smiling.

"I guess this means we're together now for real."

"Yeah," I said with a laugh. "I guess so."

"I better get back to the office," he said but made no move to go.

"Yeah, you totally should."

We ended up kissing again for a good ten minutes, but still no one came looking. I figured that was Dad's way of making up for the fake-friend thing. As far as apologies go, it was a pretty good one.

"I really do need to leave." Dare laughed as he pulled away a second time.

"Okay, go," I said and placed one last kiss on his lips. "I'll see you later."

"You will," he said. "I love you, flower."

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