Page 91 of Shadow & Stars
God. How I wasn’t sobbing my guts up, I didn’t know. “I wish I knew what to say. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too. Now, make sure you win.”
“If only we could hug.”
“I know.”
Maybe before I left when the dagger was out of me, I’d get one in. Although, if I did that, I might start asking for things and popping heads.
Holding it together, I went to join Xavier in the kitchen, Grandma returning to Teen Me.
“Are you okay?” Xavier asked.
What she’d said made total sense. Our time as grandma and grandson had ended. It was time for me to accept that, no matter how much it fucking hurt. And the more I chewed on it, the more I realized how unhealthy it would be to hug her, to do anything else other than fight on.
“I’m…” God, I seriously needed water. “I’m okay.”
“Listen to me, Roman. I understand how much it hurts to see the past come alive. Rest assured, I’m in this with you.”
Whoa. Too much emotion, too many tears already shed. Somewhere inside me, a real heart raced. No matter the pain, the struggle, the sorrow, I’d got myself to this point with Xavier. I’d started to evolve into someone new. That’s what it all boiled down to—the future where love would flourish.
Holy shit. The words bubbled up my throat with nothing to block them.
Here. We. Go.
“I love you,” I blurted. “I love you, Xavier. You’ve… You’ve… Fuck me hard. I just really love you and I want to be your boyfriend, your partner, your everything.”
Butterflies went wild in my belly, my legs jelly.
I’d said it. I’d really saidthosewords.
A blanket of silence fell over everything, the eyes of my bestie and boyfriend drilling into me at the same time.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Heat rushed up neck, setting my face on fire. I dipped my head, going to turn away.
And go where?!
“I love you, Roman Gold.”
My head shot back up, our eyes connecting. Starlight seemed to explode around me, our bodies carried into the firmament. We floated, a bazillion more butterflies tapdancing happiness across my entire being.
“Xavier…”
“I want all of those things too, boyfriend.” He smiled and sent me into a starry spin.
God. God. God. I was totally smitten with this demon.
“Boyfriend?” I said.
“Boyfriend.”
“I love it.”
“I love you.”
I went to kiss him, slamming on the brakes. “Shit. Stupid incorporeal crap.”
Darcy beamed from ear to ear.
