Page 97 of Just Friends Forever
“‘The obvious choice for Stephanie is Austin.’” I turn away and clear my throat. It’s amazing what saying your deepest fear aloud can do to you. “It was true when I told you how I felt after high school, and it’s truer than ever now.” I face her again and shrug. “I just wanted the choice to be less obvious.”
Stevie stands up and walks over to me. She nudges my knees apart so she’s standing between my legs, then wraps her hands around the chains just above mine and looks me in the eye.
“You think I care what the tabloids say? You think having a client like Rocco—or a hundred clients like Rocco—would change a single thing I think about you?” She searches my eyes like she’s expecting an answer. “You choosing to go to that showing with Evelyn represents everything I love about you, Troy. You’re dependable, loyal, and loving. You’d do anything for the people you care about, and I’ve had the completely undeserved opportunity to be one of those people for the last fifteen years.” She looks at our hands on the chains, then moves hers to cover mine. Her gaze moves back to me. “I hope more than anything that you’ll let me be one for the next fifteen. And the fifteen after that. And the fifteen after that.”
I swallow. “Stevie…”
“I know you’re worried I haven’t had long enough to know what I want or to be sure of my feelings,” she says. “But Idoknow what I want, and Iamsure, Troy. I’d marry you right now if you’d let me. My only hesitation has been the fear of losing you, of doing everything I can to make things work and to still have things fail. But you know what I realized?” She puts her hand on my cheek, and I shut my eyes and lean into it, hanging onto every word.
“With you, it’snotjust up to me. I would never be the only one trying to make things work. If you want this as much as I do, wewon’tfail.” She slides her hand down to my chin and guides it up so our gazes meet. “I’m so sorry it took me this long to see things clearly. I hate that I ever made you feel less than the incredible person you are, but I promise you I’m ready for this.” She swallows. “Ifyou’ll have me.” There’s genuine uncertainty in her eyes.
I can’t even fathom she’d ever question what my response would be. Does she realize I’ve dreamed about this moment for fifteen years?
I pull her down to my lap and take her face between my hands. “I’ll have you as long as you’ll let me have you, Stevie. You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and I swear I will never,evergive up on us.” I smile wryly. “I haven’t been able to, even when I’ve tried.”
She smiles warmly at me and touches a hand to my bare head. “Thank heaven for that.”
She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me toward her until our mouths press together in the kiss I’ve spent a lifetime waiting for. It’s apology and deep commitment and heat, the embodiment of everything we’ve just said. It’s full of a brand-new realization: my feelings for Stevie weren’t the villain that wouldn’t die; they’re the hero that never gave up.
I’m so glad they hung on all these years.
The kiss calms and finally shifts to a hug.
“I love you, Troy,” she whispers.
“I’ve always loved you, Stevie,” I respond, cradling the back of her head and breathing her in.
“Do I still smell like graham crackers?”
I still. “What?”
“Is my hair as soft as buttered toast even though it’s short and black?”
I pull back and stare at her, my eyes wide.
She’s doing everything she can not to smile, but she’s failing miserably.
“Austin,” I say without a shred of doubt. “He did this, didn’t he?”
She plays with the buttons on my shirt, her fingers grazing my collarbone and lighting me and everywhere within a ten-foot radius on fire. “He’s asked that we spread his ashes over the Pacific. Hawaii or Cabo, specifically.”
“He’ll be lucky if I spread his ashes on the closest manure pile. He really showed it to you?”
She nods. “And I will forever be grateful to him.”
I drop my head into my free hand, keeping the other snug around her waist. “I get it now. This is a pity relationship. You can’t bear to see me so pathetically in love with you for so many years.”
She laughs and pulls my hand from my face. “I have sixty-three virtual pets, Troy.Hadsixty-three virtual pets.” She plays with my hand. “That video was adorable. It actually made me cry. I’ve watched it sixteen times.”
“Sixteen times?” My horror knows no bounds.
She nods. “Besides, you were on drugs.”
“Yeah, also known aswithout a filter, which is why you know I meant every word. I still love graham crackers and buttered toast.”
“I know you do,” she says with a growing smile. “Those comparisons really drove home your point. Almost as well as shouting you loved me out the window.”
“I like to be thorough,” I say.
