Page 122 of Kissing is the Easy Part
“You’ll love NYU too. You’ll make friends in no time, but at first, it won’t be like high school. You won’t see the same people all the time. Everyone’s on a different schedule and some days, it might feel like you’re on your own.” His eyes are unreadable under the dark lashes. “Just—make sure you enjoy your own company too.”
“Solid advice.”
He’s worried about me. He still cares even though I’m not his problem anymore. I look up at the stars, missing him already.
“God, I’m sorry,” he says suddenly. “I’m doing it again—telling you what to do like I have all the answers. I keep slipping into guidance counselor mode. Please ignore me.”
“Hey, I don’t mind some good old-fashionedSeansplaining,” I tease, elbowing him lightly. He sounds genuinely guilty. “Whatever will I do without you as my Northern Star?”
“You’ll cope, just like I’ll survive without yourFlorazzle-dazzleevery five seconds.” He smiles faintly. “Seriously though, I’m sorry for always trying to fix things. I didn’t know how else to show up for you. And I messed up a lot.”
“You did show up. More than anyone ever has. And it’s not your fault I idolized you, but you never abused it.”
“Still, I benefited from it. I didn’t pay enough attention to the silent sacrifices you were making. Sometimes I was overbearing, and I steamrolled you more than once. Thanks for indulging my savior complex.” He exhales. “Anyway, this is my thesis on why I’m not as perfect as you thought I was.”
“Give yourself some credit. I’m not exactly low-maintenance. I craved independence, but also admiration, approval, and constant attention. I was like,Push me to be better, but gently and only when I’m in the mood!Let’s be real, that’s a lot for anyone. You were seventeen, prepping for MIT on five hours of sleep, and tackling this relationship on expert mode. A lesser man wouldn’t have been as patient as you were.”
“You give me endless grace, Flora.”
“No, I mean it. We had a good run. A plus for effort.”
“Indeed. A plus for effort.”
I hold out my hand, palm up between us, and he high-fives it. There is still camaraderie between us, and no one else will truly understand how hard we both tried. It’s a cloudless night and the air is serene. The water ripples and moonlight casts a shadow along his jawline. How fortunate that it was him on this intense, messy journey with me, and we came out the other side with no bitterness, no regrets.
A spur of the moment idea hits me. Standing up, I beckon for him to join me. “Let me show you something I discovered the other day.”
Sean gives me a wary glance but humors me. I lead him to the pool’s edge, right near the deep end. The tiles are cool under my feet as I turn to face him, leaning in just a little. “Remember the first time we broke in here together?”
He nods. “Sure.”
“Do you remember what you said to me?”
“I said a lot of things.”
“You made me promise something.”
“To date me exclusively?”
I flash him my sweetest smile. “No. Not to push you into the pool.”
With that, I plant my palms on his chest and shove.
It’s such a stupid, reckless thing to do, and I’d do it again if I could.
Not because of the sheer shock on his face or the way his soaked shirt clings to him when he resurfaces. Not because his dark hair mats against his forehead, making his eyes more enticing than ever. Not even because when he hauls himself out of the pool, he says to me in a harshly sexy tone that I should surrender myself now before he has to chase me.
And definitely not because of how easily he lifts me, arms clasped around my waist, before tossing me straight into the water.
It’s because when we start splashing each other, he laughs.
And my heart takes off.
I’d do it a thousand times over to hear that again. Making him happy is one of the things that makesmeridiculously happy, and I watch his face with my chest full.
I love Sean. I love making him laugh. I can live without his kisses—probably—but I hope he’ll always share his happiness with me.
“You’re every bit as chaotic as I remembered, Flora Morgan.” He helps me out of the pool and pushes his wet hair out of his eyes.
