Page 109 of From Nowhere

“Jesus, Maren. No, I’m not saying that. But we’ve known each other for two seconds, and I think abandoning all reason at this point would be pretty irresponsible. You could decide that dating a guy who only rides a bike isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Then what? Are you going to continue to pay for after-school transportation and childcare? Or will I be on my own? Which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid by not pissing off Tia.”

“You make more out of the bike than I do.”

“Becauseit’semasculating too!”

She flinches.

I feel instant regret and release a long sigh. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, stabbing my fingers through my hair. “This is my life, and I hate that I have to remind myself how lucky I am despite the loss. Lola lived. Had she died, I don’t think I would have had the strength or the will to go on. And if Brynn had lived and Lola had died, I think it wouldhave destroyed our marriage because both of us would have been mere shells of ourselves.”

Maren stares at her feet. “Maybe the timing is all wrong for us.”

I grunt. “It’s too late. I can’t fall out of love with you.”

Her gaze lifts to mine.

“What?” I ask when she doesn’t speak.

“They’re just words, Ozzy—three simple words. Yet I’m dying for you to say them together in order.”

I squint. “What do you mean?”

“You told me you never said you didn’t love me. And now you’re telling me you can’t fall out of love with me. And I know what those statements mean. But you haven’t just said it.”

The words sprint to the tip of my tongue, ready to take flight, but I grin instead. “I need something to keep you coming back for more.”

“Even if the timing is wrong?”

“Even if.”

She chews on the inside of her cheek for a few seconds. “Well, I have to go.”

I slide my hands along her cheeks, burying my fingers in her hair. “Be safe.” I kiss the top of her head without regard to Tia, who I know is glued to the window watching us.

“I will,” she whispers. “I love you.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Her hands grip my shirt, tugging it harder than necessary. “Don’t be an ass. Just say it.”

“I did. You wanted it in three words. I gave it to you in three words.”

“Speaking of giving people things. I know what you’re not getting anytime soon,” she murmurs as I duck my head and kiss her neck.

“If you end up leaving town, I’m well aware of what I won’t be getting.” I kiss my way up to her mouth.

She turns her head just as I reach her lips. “Say it.”

“You’re beautiful.” I kiss her cheek.

“Say it.”

“I’m going to miss you.” I kiss her forehead.

“Say it.” She jerks my shirt a little harder.

“We fell in love.” I kiss her nose.

“Ozzy ...” She sighs with defeat and lifts her chin to kiss me.

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