Page 63 of For the Plot
“Oh, god no,” she rushed out. “No, James, I was never scaredofyou. I was scared of what Ifeelfor you. You know I’m not good with change, and I was scared of what admitting my feelings would mean.”
Finally, I dared to let myself have a shred of hope. “What you feel for… me?”
“I have something to show you.” Nikki picked up the binder sitting on the table. I hadn’t even noticed it, my eyes only for her. She handed it to me, and I took it, glancing up at her in confusion. Opening it up, I saw that it was her book.
“You finished it!” Despite everything, my first reaction was to smile at her. “I’m so proud of you!” She beamed back at me at my words, and my heart soared. God, I had missed her so much.
“Read the dedication.”
I looked down, flipping to the page.
For James. Not only my best friend, but my greatest love.
This book, this love story is for you. For us.
Thank you for loving me.
I sucked in a fortifying breath as I closed the binder, setting it back on the table before looking up at her. Nikki shot me a wobbly smile as she slid to her knees in front of me, taking my hands in hers.
"I love you, James. I’m in love with you. I’m sorry it took me so long to really see you, to understand my own feelings. As a romance author, there are still so many things about love that I’m not good at. But I want to be. I want to learn, and love, and grow with you. I write words for a living, but no words could ever truly express just what you mean to me. You’re my favoriteperson in this world, and I want to love you the way you deserve to be loved." She paused, looking unsure and vulnerable. "Is that something you want, too?"
I couldn’t speak, my throat clogged with emotion. Instead, I grabbed her face in my hands and pulled her towards me to smash my mouth against hers.
Finally.
We both groaned into the kiss, melting into each other. As my tongue wrapped around hers, I felt settled for the first time since that door had shut in my face. This was where I was always meant to be.
We only pulled apart when we had no choice but to breathe, and I rested my forehead against hers as we caught our breath.
“I love you so much, Nikki. Thank you for apologizing. I forgive you. I don’t ever want to be without you.”
Nikki burst into sobs, rushing forward until she was sitting on my lap, arms wrapped around me, sobbing into my shoulder. I held her back just as tight, burying my face in her hair and soaking in her warmth, rocking her back and forth as I rubbed soothing circles into her back.
Eventually, she pulled away, sniffling. “Does this mean you’ll move back in?” She gave me that crooked smile, and I couldn’t help myself from leaning forward and capturing her mouth in another kiss, this one shorter but no less passionate.
“You’re never getting rid of me again.”
“Good.”
We didn’t come back up for air again for a long time after that.
Epilogue
Come to Me – Goo Goo Dolls
“Hey,thatwasmine!”Robyn snipped at Alex, attempting to take the drink out of his hand, but he knocked back the glass of champagne before she could.
“You had one in each hand. I assumed one of them was for me.” Alex shrugged, motioning to the drink in her other hand.
Robyn snorted. “Why would I grab you a drink, dumbass? You're perfectly capable of getting your own. Plus, it’s an open bar. Of course I’m gonna double-fist it.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, shaking my head. But I couldn’t stop the grin spreading on my face.
“Guess that means I'm just helping the youths.” Alex shrugged.
“How is you stealing my drink 'helping the youths'?”
“The more I drink the less alcohol there is for the children?"
