Page 118 of I Could Be Yours

“Smooth…” Flip coughs.

I shoot him a dirty look. “Can you fuck off? You’re not helping.”

Flip’s eyes go comically wide. “Did I not do my part by getting your sorry ass off the couch? Was it not me who opened your eyes to the possibility of what you might be missing out on if you kept going the way you were? Did I not hook you up with a kickass therapist?”

I poke at my cheek with my tongue. “You did all those things, but I need you to not make this any harder or more awkward than it already is.” I turn back to Essie. “Can we go talk in the kitchen for a minute and leave the heckler here?”

“Sure.” Essie leaves her drink on the table. I would help her up if my arms weren’t laden with things. We leave our friends and Flip’s motor mouth and disappear into the kitchen.

“I got you flowers.” I hold them out.

“They’re really pretty.” She takes them from me. “Thank you.”

“And I got you a heart pillow and chocolate.” I thrust them at her. “They’re your favorite. The chocolate, I mean. And we both know you love heart pillows.”

“I do love chocolate and heart pillows.”

I shove my hands in my pockets. Pull them out. Run one through my hair.

“Did you go out and buy all this stuff for a reason?” she asks softly.

“Tristan and Flip were razzing me. I was nervous about seeing you today, and I’m pretty sure I’m fucking all of this up. Can I hug you, please?” My eyes close.Yeah, I’m really fucking this up.I crack a lid.

Essie looks up at me with soft eyes as she steps forward and wraps her arms around my waist. I fold my arms over her, soaking up the contact like a balm. “I’ve missed you so much, Ess. So fucking much.”

“I’ve missed you too,” she whispers. Eventually she pulls away. “How’s therapy?”

“Hard. It sucks a lot right now, but it’ll get easier with time.” I want to reassure her that I’m not going to stop going. “I know it’s important that I do the work so I can have the kind of relationships I deserve, and so I can be a good partner.”

She smiles softly. “I’m really happy to hear that.”

“Do you think maybe you’d want to go on a date with me?”

Her lips pull to the side, and her eyes drop to the floor for a moment before they meet mine. “Can I think about it?”

My stomach sinks, but I nod anyway. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

CHAPTER 39

ESSIE

On Sunday afternoon, my phone pings.

Nate

How’s the thinking going?

Essie

As well as can be expected.

Nate

Is there anything I can do to help?

Essie

Send a selfie.

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