Page 82 of Love, Morgan

“Go on,” the woman with the now-wrapped mango said, urging her on.

Morgan scowled at her. “Can younot?”

A hysterical laugh broke free from my lips. This really was Morgan. And that meant… the mango womanhadto be Ripley. There was nobody else in the world Morgan would trust with this.

I looked at her again. She was exactly what I’d imagined, and nothing like that at all, because she was here. She was real. And she’d brought me Morgan.

Morgan shook her head, refocusing on me, and my insides twisted. She was so beautiful. So perfectly, blissfully beautiful.

She took a step towards me. “I saw your video.”

I didn’t have to ask which one. It was clear on her face. I nodded, unable to take my eyes off her.

Morgan gestured over her shoulder. “I wasn’t really thinking about the crowd when I thought about doing this, but, hey, you told the whole world how you feel, I can do the same.”

“You don’t have to,” I told her urgently.

She smiled that smile I’d only seen her give me. “I know, but I want to. I’m not ashamed of how I feel about you.”

I felt like I was going to die and the only good reason not to was Morgan. If she told me she could fight off death, I don’t think I’d even bat an eyelid. She was magic.

“Neither am I,” I whispered.

“I know. I saw your video.”

Something in her tone told me she’d never had that before. Ripley loved her without reservation, but it wasn’t the same. She’d never had someone declare how they felt for her like that before.

Neither had I. Until now. Untilher.

She took a steadying breath, clearly working on blocking out everyone around us. “I watched your video, and I realized, I’m not afraid of you asking me for things. I’m not afraid that you’ll want parts of me, of my life. I can’t, and won’t, give up my life, but I’m not afraid of you… doing what they did. Not really.”

I nodded again, my heart breaking for the things she’d been through, and aching for the gift she was giving me.

“I’m afraid of hurting you,” she went on, looking frustrated with herself. “All I’ve ever been taught isthat. You know how much I hated it. You know how much I don’t want that. You knowme.”

“I do,” I half sobbed, loving how true it was. There was still so much to learn about her, but I did know her. I knew her in a way nobody else ever had, or ever would.

“And I’m terrified of doing that to you. I don’t want you to have to give things up for me. I don’t want to force you into a life you don’t want—”

“I want you.” The words came easily, truthfully, and without any fear that I was being seen. They were the truest thing in my life, and I didn’t care if the entire world knew.

Tears rolled down Morgan’s cheek, something ancient seeming like it was leaving her body, like she was finally getting a wish she’d wished and long since given up on. “I want you too. But what if—”

I stepped around the table towards her. “Then we’ll figure it out together. You know me too. Do you think anything would ever escape you?”

She laughed, the sound wet and adoring. “No. I’m amazing.”

“Exactly.” I reached out to take her hands in mine. “You changed my whole life, Morgan. You made the whole world better, even when you weren’t there. I know you, and I’m not worried you’re going to become that. I’m not worried about finding a way to keep all of the things we both need. Together.”

“You’re not?” She watched me with wide, wondrous eyes, like I was the best thing she’d ever seen, and it set off a tingling in every part of my body.

I shook my head. “I’m really, really not. I know you, Morgan Franklin. There’s nothing you can’t do, nothing you can’t figure out if you put your mind to it.

She sucked in a shaky breath. “Then I’m choosing to love you.’

I sobbed and threw myself on her, basking in the familiarity of her scent, the feel of her in my arms, and her soft lips against mine.

She clung to me like she was scared to let me go. I’d never felt so seen or so treasured in my entire life. And I knew I’d never loved anyone like I loved her.

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