Page 362 of Small Town Firsts

Sterling's eyes light up. "There's nothing more important than you."

I don't know how to respond to him, so I don't.

"Come sit with me," he says, dropping down onto the couch, patting the cushion beside him.

I do, and we once again lapse into a stilted silence.

"Can we... can we talk?" Sterling asks, finally.

"About what?"

"God, so much. We can start slow, I guess."

I nod, waiting for him to continue.

"First things first. I just want to get this out of the way, and please know, you don't have say anything back, but I love you. That hasn't changed, and it's not gonna change. If anything, my feelings have only grown stronger. My heart beats for you, Emmalyn. I'm sure you need time to process everything, but I'm willing to wait."

He laughs through his nose. "I'm not typically a patient man, but for you, I can wait."

I flex my fingers, clutching the hem of my sweatshirt. I want so badly to reach out to him, to pull him to me to hold him close. To press my chest to his and feel our hearts beating together, but I force myself to remain seated.

"Sterling, I..."

"You don't have to say anything."

"No. I-I love you, too. I do. I just need time."

Before he can say anything else, the door opens and Stella walks in.

"I guess that's my cue to leave.” He leans in, as if he's going to hug me, but stops short.

Deep breaths,I tell myself before I lean in, closing the distance between us, pulling him to me so our foreheads touch.

We sit like this for a few moments, content to just soak each other in.

"Thank you, Sterling," I whisper.

"Anything for you." He softly kisses my forehead before releasing me. It feels like a piece of me is missing as he stands and heads for the door. "See you soon."

Tears threaten to fall, but Stella claims his vacated seat before they have a chance.

She takes my hands in hers. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

"I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. Just get better, you know? Get healthy.”

"I will. Promise.”

"I know you will."

“How's Gabe and Zach?”

"They're good. They've been really worried about you, but Sterling has made sure to keep everyone updated."

Stella laughs.

"What?"

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