Page 128 of Guarded Love

I watch as Wilder takes a step forward, then stops himself. His whole body is tense, like he's fighting something deep within himself. The guy with Jade says something that makes her throw her head back and laugh, and Wilder's face darkens even more.

"He looks like he's about to commit a felony," Willow says.

"Probably because he is," Knox says. "Someone should do something."

But that something seems to have happened without any of us having to do a thing. The guy in the basketball hoodie gives Jade a small wave and he leaves the group. Jade’s eyes drift around the room until they land on Wilder. The biggest grin appears on her face and she runs up to him and gives him a big hug.

“What is going on there?”

Willow’s question makes both Knox and me look at her, but I answer first. “Wilder’s in love with her.”

"And Jade?" Willow asks, watching as Jade practically bounces on her toes while talking to Wilder, who still looks like he's been hit by a truck.

"Has absolutely no clue," Knox finishes. "It's painful to watch."

I study the interaction across the arena. Jade is talking about something that has her extremely excited while Wilder nods along with the expression of someone trying very hard to act normal when their entire world just shifted. The contrast between her obvious excitement and his barely controlled tension is almost comical.

"How long has this been going on?" Willow asks.

"Since sophomore year," I say. "Maybe longer. Wilder's never said anything directly, but it's pretty obvious if you know what to look for."

"And she really doesn't know?"

Knox shakes his head. "Jade thinks they're just friends. Best friends, and he’s dated other girls while they’ve been friends, so I don’t blame her.”

"That's..." Willow pauses, watching as Jade grabs Wilder's arm to pull him toward the photo booth. "Actually kind of heartbreaking."

"Yeah, well, welcome to Wilder's life," Knox says. "Guy's got it bad, but he's convinced she's out of his league."

“I mean she is technically…as most women are. Present company included.” That earns me a swat on the chest from Willow.

Surprisingly, Knox agrees with me. “You’re not wrong. Speaking of, where’s my woman?”

He walks away from both of us before we can respond to him, and all I can do is chuckle. I can’t say I’m not happy to be alone with Willow again.

"So," she says, turning to face me fully. "That went better than expected."

"Did it?" I raise an eyebrow. "Because for a minute there I thought your brother was going to punch me in the face."

"He still might, if you're not careful." But she's smiling as she says it. "I can't believe we just did that."

"Which part? You taking down Leo or us finally telling Knox the truth?"

"Both. All of it." She runs a hand through her hair and lets out a deep breath. “I feel like I've been holding my breath for weeks."

I reach for her hand and her fingers thread through mine. I bring our joined hands up to my lips. "So we're doing this?" I ask quietly, my mouth still close to her skin.

Her eyes meet mine. "We're doing this."

"Good," I say, lowering our hands but not letting go. "Because I'm not letting go ever. I love you."

"I love you too."

I’ll never get tired of hearing those words come from her lips.

EPILOGUE

WILLOW