Page 117 of The Apple Tree

“Baby,” he whispered. “I only have one good arm, but I’ll carry you.”

Emotions beyond anything I had ever experienced bubbled over, and I blinked an endless stream of tears.

He stepped past me as I frantically wiped my face before Josh saw me crying.

“I love her,” Kyle said.

I couldn’t turn around because the tears wouldn’t stop. My heart swelled into my throat, making it impossible to breathe.

“Sorry, what?” Anne said casually, as though she really didn’t hear him.

“I’m in love with Eve.”

Josh, bless his heart, padded into the living room, turned on cartoons, and sat on the sofa with an open cereal box. He was oblivious to the epic confession ten feet behind me at the front door.

Fred released a nervous chuckle. “What are you talking about? Eve … as in Eve behind you? Is this a joke?”

“It’s not a joke. It just happened. Chemistry. Kismet. Fate. God’s will. Whatever. Eve is generous. Funny and nurturing. She has a young and wild heart with an old soul. To know herreallyis to love her. And the joy she brings to both Josh and me is immeasurable. Maybe I don’t know where this is going, and I haven’t said anything to her family yet, but she deserves a bold, selfless love. And if I’m honest, my feelings for her can’t be contained any longer. So if you have a problem with this, then you don’t know me, and you certainly don’t know Eve. But I know she’s worthy of the very best in life, and I think I’m at least worthy of a little luck.”

I gave up on controlling my tears, so I turned.

Anne’s eyes instantly filled with emotion when she saw me. But Fred kept his focus on Kyle.

“Have you been,” Fred cleared his throat, “respectfultoward her.”

Sex.

Fred wanted to know if we’d had sex.

“I’m afraid that’s personal,” Kyle said.

Fred clenched his teeth. “It’s not right,” he whispered, slowly shaking his head.

“Yeah, well, it doesn’t feel wrong either,” Kyle replied.

My heart dripped from my chest into a messy pool of liquid at my feet. Kyle melted it with his words. He put Daniel LaRusso and Pete “Maverick” Mitchell to shame.

“May God forgive you both,” Fred said, opening the door.

Anne eyed me a little longer, as if she needed to know if I was all right.

I shuffled my feet to Kyle and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my cheek on his bare back. Seconds later, the door clicked shut. Turning my head, I pressed my lips to his spine, dotting slow kisses along his skin.

“I’m sorry. I?—”

“Don’t,” he said, turning and wrapping his good arm around me and kissing the top of my head. “Don’t apologize.”

“You love me,” I whispered.

“So much.”

Josh giggled at his cartoons.

“I have to go,” I said, pulling away and looking for my shoes. I found them by the door and slid my feet into them.

“Where are you going? If you’re telling your parents, I want to be?—”

“I’m not telling them. Not yet.” I opened the door.

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