Page 156 of A Little Crush
“The last thing you should do is apologize,” I grumble. “You’re too nice for your own good.”
“Well, someone’s gotta be, right?” she quips. “By the way, I talked to your dad.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, while you were in the room with Iris. He said something to me.” She snuggles in closer to my chest. “Something about you.”
“What’d he say?”
“That you need me.”
“I do need you.”
“And that I should stick by your side.”
“That’d be nice,” I agree.
Her mouth lifts, but she stays quiet, studying me, and I don’t miss the mirth in her pretty gaze. It’s like she knows a secret. One I’m dying for her to share.
“What is it?” I ask.
“It’s just…” Her smile widens. “I found it a little ironic, is all.”
“Why?”
“That he thinks I’m even capable ofnotsticking by your side.” A quiet laugh escapes her. “Considering our past, I mean…”
Our past. As in, her long-standing crush. I guess it is a little comical. The idea of Rory getting bored of me orcutting ties after everything we’ve been through. She even moved out of Lockwood Heights to escape her feelings, and look where it got her. Right back where she belongs. With me.
“Maybe he’s afraid you’ll finally gain some common sense,” I argue.
“Nah.” She waves me off. “That ship sailed a long time ago.”
“Oh, really?” I say, not bothering to hide my laughter.
“Yup. You’re stuck with me, Mr. Thorne.”
“Good. Then, it looks like you’re stuck with me, future Mrs. Thorne.”
Her eyes widen. “Future Mrs. Thorne, huh?”
“Yeah.” I kiss her softly, surprised by the lack of fear that accompanies those words. Future Mrs. Thorne. Fuck, they’ve never sounded better, and considering the swell of regret I felt the last time I toyed with those words, it shocks the hell out of me. But maybe that’s the point. The reason why Maverick and Ophelia had no issue moving up their wedding date. Because they knew what real love was supposed to feel like. The same way I know I’m never letting Rory go. Ever.
Leaning back, Rory murmurs, “You know, I like the sound of that.”
“Thought you might.”
“Mm-hmm.” She tilts her head to the side, giving me better access to her throat as I skate my lips across her sensitive skin. “Now, I can dig out all those older binders and use them again.”
“Huh?”
“Since they all say Mrs. Thorne on them,” she teases. “Wait, am I a psychic or…?”
I roll my eyes and kiss her again. “Smart-ass.”
Smiling against my mouth, she wraps her arms aroundmy neck and presses herself against me. “And you wouldn’t have it any other way.”
She’s right. I wouldn’t. In fact, I wouldn’t change a thing. Life is funny that way. The way it winds, taking unexpected turns. Some good. Some bad. But none that are regrettable. Not for me, at least. Because if they were, I wouldn’t find myself here. With the love of my life in my lap. Her dog at our feet. And my little girl in the room next to us.
