Page 106 of Seal the Deal

She nods, looking down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “Yeah. I mean, we’ve been spending so much time together, and it feels… serious.”

I nod slowly, trying to keep my tone even. “It does.”

She pauses, her gaze searching mine, almost as if she’s looking for reassurance. “It’s just… sometimes I wonder…”

I can see the struggle in her eyes, like she’s wrestling with whether or not to say what’s on her mind.

I don’t push her, letting her take her time, but praying to God she’s not about to tell me she wants to cool things down. After a moment, she sighs, her shoulders relaxing slightly, and she leans into me a little more.

“Wonder what?” I prompt.

“Wonder if…” She trails off, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she’s scared to say it out loud. “… if you feel the same way. Like, do you… you know…”

My heart pounds as her words sink in and I realize what she's asking for. She’s practically confessing, and I know she wants me to bridge the gap, to make this clear.

I reach out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Charlie…” I start, my voice as gentle as I can make it, feeling the weight of this moment.

But before I can say more, she shakes her head, an embarrassed laugh escaping her. “God, listen to me. I shouldn’t be asking you this.”

But I can see the vulnerability in her eyes, the hope she’s trying to downplay. She wants to know, even if she won’t ask again.

“Charlie.” I take her hand in mine and hold it between us. “You’re a little drunk…”You’re the love of my life.

She lets out a frustrated laugh, rolling her eyes. “Dutch courage.”

I chuckle, squeezing her hand. “I know. But when I tell you how I feel, I want you to remember it. I want it to be clear. I want you to remember every word.”

She pouts, looking more like Meadow than she probably realizes. “Fine,” she mumbles, tilting her head towards the ceiling. “But you will tell me?”

I run my thumb along her cheek. “Yeah, Charlie girl. I’ll tell you. I promise.”

She holds my gaze for a long moment, then finally nods, her body relaxing as she leans into me again.

I hold her close, my mind racing with everything she’s said. The truth is, I’m absolutely, without a shadow of a fucking doubt, in love with her. It’s a fact that feels as undeniable as gravity.

I think I’ve known since that night under the stars. I’ve spent twelve years chasing my dream. The dream we promised each other we’d chase. I didn’t realize until recently, the dream was always her.

But she deserves more than a confession while she’s half-asleep on my shoulder, tipsy from a night out. She deserves to hear it when we’re both fully present, fully aware of what we’re saying. I want her to soak in every damn word I tell her. Because once I say it, that’s it.She’s it.

I catch a glimpse of Chase out of the corner of my eye. He’s guiding Zoe away from the dance floor, his arm around her shoulders. They’re laughing, and she’s completely unaware of the way he’s subtly steering her away from the crowd, away from any potential trouble. I’ve never seen Chase laugh like that, and it suits him.

As the night winds down, I help Charlie outside, her steps unsteady. I guide her into my car, and as we drive back to her place, she’s quiet, her head resting against the window.

When we pull up, I turn to help her out of the car, but she surprises me by leaning in and crushing her lips to mine in a kiss that’s anything but innocent.

“I want you,” she says, hand trailing up my chest.

I groan, pulling back slightly. “Charlie, you’re drunk.”

“So?” Her fingers play with the fabric of my shirt.

I gently cup her face. “So, I’m not taking advantage of you when you’re like this.”

She stares at me for a long moment, then huffs and crosses her arms. “You’re too good, you know that?”

“Just trying to do the right thing,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Leaning back in her seat with a sigh, her eyes droop with exhaustion. “But you’ll stay, right?”

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