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There’s so much more I want to say to her; fuck, the way I want totouchher. My body is practically vibrating with the need to. But I told her I would wait until she was ready, and I meant that. Even if it kills me.

“Is that…” My throat bobs with a swallow. “Is that all you came to say?”

“I…well. I guess it is.”

“Oh.” I nod, looking at my feet to try to hide my disappointment. “Right. Well. I really appreciate this.”

“Ezra, it was nothing. Really.”

All I can do is nod again. “Right.”

“Fuck.” I look up as she runs her fingers through her hair, blowing out a breath. “That’s a lie.”

“What?”

“That’s not all I came to say.”

“I’m confused.”

“I know.” She nods, looking miserable. “And that’s my fault.”

“No, Dani, that’s not what I—”

She holds up a hand. “No, I need to get this out.”

She takes a deep breath, the determination on her perfect face so like her that I might laugh if this were any other time. She looks at me like she’s about to deliver an opening address to a judge and jury. Her eyes hold that same ferocity that she gives to everything else in her life.

Maybe that’s why what she says nearly knocks me over.

“I’m in love with you.”

I don’t think I have everactuallybeen in a position where I have nothing to say. Retorts normally come so easily to me, but Dani has managed to render me speechless with only five short words. She takes advantage of my silence, barreling onward like she won’t be able to get it out if she stops.

“I know that I fucked up with you,” she says hoarsely. “I have spent so long telling myself that people are a foregone conclusion, that anything good I might find will eventually end, so what’s the point of even trying? Maybe that’s why I took the first chance I got to push you away.” She shakes her head. “Not that it makes it right.” Her brow wrinkles. “You were right to stop chasing me. You shouldn’t be chasing me.”

“Dani—”

“I’m going to chaseyouthis time,” she says resolutely, nodding as if asserting her decision. “So however long it takes for you to forgive me, I’m going to wait. Because you’re worth staying for too, Ezra. And I’m sorry if I made you feel like you weren’t. I promise if you give me another chance, I’ll—”

She makes a surprised sound when I cross the distance in the blink of an eye, pulling her to me and crushing her mouth to mine. She’s still for only a moment before she melts into it, her hands wrapping around my biceps and squeezing before she slips her arms around my neck. I feel every doubt, every worry,allofit—seeping out of me in droves as her mouth moves against mine. Like everything that comes after this will be easy, because now I know she’ll be here for it.

“I mean it,” she gasps between kisses. “I’ll wait for you—”

“Shut up, Dani.” I press my lips to hers, lingering. “Don’t be stupid.”

She pushes at my chest, only staying close to me because I have my arms wrapped firmly around her waist. “Stupid?”

Her indignant expression makes me smile; it probably meansI’ma basket case, how elated her looking at me like that makes me.

“Very stupid,” I tease, holding her tight so she can’t squirm away. “If you think I’m letting you out of my sight for another second…”

She stops fighting my grip, her eyes softening. “What?”

“Don’t you know?” I lean in, brushing my lips across hers, smiling. “I’ve loved you for ages, Dani. I’ve just been waiting for you to catch up.”

She blinks back at me like she’s trying to process what I’ve said, and the moment she does, her eyes crinkle in pleasure, her smile wide and open, and the effect it has on my heart is something very similar. She lunges herself at me, zippering her body to mine and shoving her fingers in my hair. She pulls at the strands hard enough to sting, but I’m just so happy to have her hands on me again that I welcome it.

“Wow,” I hum against her mouth. “You must havereallymissed me.”