Page 55 of Falling Faster
I tap Craig's arm to loosen his hold, then turn and face him. Those arms come back around me, just as I knew they would. "For a silly, sentimental reason. They are the unicorns of the sea. And finding you was like finding a unicorn. As in, finding my perfect match."
Craig's hold tightens and his gaze crackles with an intensity that steals my breath. "Ty… There's something I have to say. Something I've been wanting to say for a while. If I wait anymore, I'm going to burst."
My grip on the icy beer tightens. I quickly set it down. My heartbeat thumps hard then kicks into higher gear. The air seems to still. Every sense heightens and every cell in my body vibrates with anticipation. I think I know what words might leave Craig's lips. Words I myself have been longing to say. "Craig?"
His tongue peeks out to wet his lips. Gloved fingers flex on my back, then roam in a soft caress. "I love you."
"I love you too." The words flow easily, automatically, and I mean them with every fiber of my being. They are a declaration and a commitment.
The most wondrous expression graces Craig's face, as if the knowledge his feelings are returned is the greatest, most monumental thing in the history of ever.
We stand, holding each other and smiling, wrapped in our private moment as the party continues around us. For a moment, I wish the masks weren't in place, so that nothing would hide even an inch of our expressions. I want to see all of Craig, and comfort myself with the plan of whisperingI love youto him over and over as soon as we get back to my room at Slater and Noah's place.
Craig's teeth sink into his bottom lip, drawing my attention to his sexy mouth. "You love me."
"Yes." The word flies out, eager and certain. I cradle his cheek. "Absolutely. And I'm so ready to be with you. I want a life together."
"That's what we're building." Eyes twinkling, Craig grins and bends until our heads are close together. "I knew right away that you were special, and the months we've been together have let me see just how amazing. You're my partner. My perfect match. And most of all, my superhero."
Our lips meet and I press myself against Craig, sharing the promise held in the kiss. Happiness, pure and deep, radiates through me until I'm sure I glow as bright as the neon sign.
I've fallen fast for Craig. Faster than I'd ever fallen for anyone. But it doesn't surprise me. After all, love is the greatest, most potent superpower in the universe.
EPILOGUE
TY
One Year Later
In all the years I attended comic book conventions, I never dreamed I'd be selling my own comics at one. Yet here I am.
Slater and I have a table at the very convention where I met Craig one year ago. The sea of people and the volume of noise and chaos is the same, but so much else is different compared to my life back then.
The table for the superhero foundation is beside ours. I've been going back and forth between the tables, telling people about the foundation when the other volunteers are occupied, and then coming back to my table and chatting about comic books with customers and Slater and Noah. It's been a whirlwind of a day, but I'm happy.
Noah's playing the part of proud boyfriend for Slater, talking about the books, about literacy, and being a pro at selling our merch. The brightly colored tees, hats, mugs, and bags are flying off the tables as fast as copies of the original superhero series and the special edition we created to raise money for the foundation.
My own boyfriend has been in New York City for the past four days with Cody, Patrick, and Devon, opening for The Fury. I'd have gone with them if we didn't have the convention. Falling Midnight's new album is climbing the charts. They worked so hard on it and I'm thrilled for the guys. I've kept my promise to Craig about being their number one super fan. He smiles so big whenever I wear one of the hats or tees with their logo.
Slater hands a bulging bag to a customer who purchased one of everything, then turns to me. "It's surreal being back here."
"I know." I straighten the display copies of our books. "Being on the other side of the table is a different perspective."
Noah steps around to the customer side then raises his phone. "Lean in, you two. Smile."
Leaning into Slater, I smile for the camera. "Watch out for random boxes doubling as tripping hazards."
"Oh, don't worry, I did. But I'll check again." He does an exaggerated survey of the floor around him before taking the photos. We moved the boxes to behind our chairs instead of under the table to make sure there's no way a customer could trip.
Though I love living here in LA with Craig and his crew, I've missed having these two guys down the hall from me. I'm glad we have an entire summer together. Standing, I hold out my hand for his phone. "Let me take one of you guys."
Noah passes the phone to me. I squeeze between the tables and take his place in front of it and wait for him to claim the chair I vacated. Once he's seated, Slater wraps an arm around his shoulders and they lean in so their temples are touching. It's very cute.
I take a few pictures. "You guys look great, so I hope thephotos do too. Let me back up, get a wider angle so there's more of the convention in the shot."
Moving fast, I back up a few steps, and slam into something large and solid. In a split-second, last year's collision with the hard table and crashing into Craig's display flashes through my mind. Adrenaline spikes, and panic rolls through my gut.
Hands wrap around my shoulders from behind, stopping my fall, and steadying me.
