Page 41 of The Summer We Played Pretend

She starts to protest, but I continue, "I'm not saying this to discourage you. I just want you to know that I'm willing to work through whatever challenges come our way. Distance, busy schedules, all of it. If you're in, I'm all in."

I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Part of me wonders if I'm being too intense, too soon. But with Chloe, I can’t seem to be any other way.

Chloe's gaze meets mine and she squeezes my hand.

"I appreciate your honesty.”

“I haven’t been honest enough, Chlo. I should have told you this sooner. I’ve been feeling this way for—”

“It doesn’t matter.” She tucks a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. "I haven’t been honest about my feelings either and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little scared. After everything with Brendan…”

“He hurt you bad.”

“He did.”

“I won’t hurt you.” The words slip out before I can stop them. I mean every syllable, every promise, every part of my being. I want Chloe to know that with me, it's different.

Chloe’s gaze searches mine. “I know you wouldn't, Jackson, it’s just…”

“It’s just what?” I prompt gently, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Her chest rises and falls as she takes a breath. “It’s just that this feels so real. Scary real.”

"Chlo, I know it won't be easy, but with you, I'm willing to try, every single day if I have to. But I won’t push for more than you’re ready for. We can take this slowly, see where it goes."

Chloe cocks her head. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"You don't have to do anything, Chloe," I reply, my throat tight. "Just be you. That's all I need."

She smiles and nods. "I'm not letting fear hold me back anymore. You're right, my dreams are important to me. But so are you, Jackson. And I believe we can make this work."

I lean in close, unable to resist smoothing a thumb along her jaw and tracing the curve of her bottom lip. "We'll figure it out together.”

Chloe's gaze softens, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Together," she echoes, closing the distance between us.

I can’t take it anymore. I kiss her, curving my hand around her neck to keep her close. Tension knots its way around my body, reminding me I’ll never, ever get enough of her but it’s the kind of heart-pounding tension that reminds me how precious what we have is. I kiss her slowly, absorbing every moment of finally being able to kiss her without any lies between us.

When we end the kiss, I rest my forehead against hers.

"So—” I grin, unable to hold it back “—does this mean I can stop pretending to be your fake boyfriend?"

Chloe laughs. "I think it's safe to say you've been promoted to real boyfriend status."

Chapter Eighteen

Chloe

As we reach the top of the hill, the view opens up before us. The cliffs extend endlessly, the sun breaking through the clouds and reflecting off the ocean. Jackson’s hand is steady and warm in mine, our fingers laced together naturally, like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

"Wow," I breathe, taking in the view. "It’s such a pretty day.”

Jackson grins. "Worth the hike right?"

“Maybe,” I admit, hoping he quickly forgets how much I complained on the way up here.

My heart flutters as he leads me toward the cliff edge. I can't believe this is really happening - that Jackson and I are on an actual date.

"Close your eyes," Jackson says.

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