Page 36 of A Very Grumpy Neighbor

“I love you.”

“Mistake again?”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t a mistake the first time.”

I never thought I would tell anyone I loved them, and I certainly never dreamed it would go like this.

“I’m sorry, Jade. So sorry. I do trust you.”

She shifts on her feet and tucks her dark brown hair behind her ear.

“I’m not used to sharing…anything, but I want to try. With you. Only with you.”

“Are you sure?” she asks softly. “If this is going too much for you, I don’t think we should continue. Maybe we’re just too different.”

“We are, but that’s a good thing. I want you, Jade. Only you. There’s never been…there’s no one else. Never will be.”

“You can’t know that.”

“I can. I never wanted to be with anyone before you. I never wanted to try. Not until you.”

She studies me, and I hold my breath.

“Can you give me another chance? Let me prove it to you.”

A slight smile curves her lips as she crosses her arms over her ample chest. “How?”

“I’ll talk to you.”

“Hmm.”

“I’ll tell you how I feel. I’ve already started.”

“Have you?”

“I’ve told you I love you now twice.”

“Not really. Saying it was a mistake the first time cancels out the second time you said it.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t a mistake. I never said it was. It counts.”

“Mmm, more like one and a half.”

“Fine. Here’s the second time.” I step closer. “Jade, I love you.”

“And you’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“Good.”

“Yeah?”

She smiles. “Yeah, because I love you, too.”

“Thank fuck.”

I don’t wait. Backing her through the door, I kick it closed behind me. I grab her—one hand sliding around her back, the other tangling in her hair—and slam my mouth down on hers.

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