Page 84 of Easy Reunion

“It wasn’t supposed to happen here.” The tears clogging my voice make it almost impossible to understand.

“Huh?” He pulls back so he can smile down at me. “I didn’t think there was a wrong place to…”

I smush my fingers over his mouth and jump out of the car. Ry gets out of the passenger side to find me walking toward the brick patio at a fast clip.

Spinning around, I face him. “Love is supposed to be patient and kind; I’ve found it to be neither of those things.” His face clouds over. Stepping into his space, I slide my arms around his neck and pull my body close. “Not when it’s real.”

He swallows audibly. Sliding his arms around me, he nods. “Go on.”

“If it’s real, it’s messy and demanding. It’s about learning the person every single day—what makes them happy or what irritates them. It’s full of pain and tragedy because you can’t imagine a day without that person.” I inhale so loud I think I’m going to pass out when I admit, “And that’s why I think the crush I had morphed into love. Because it might have taken all these years for us to reunite, but finally, I understand it’s not about me being perfect or you being that way; it’s about our imperfections being right for each other.” Taking a deep breath, I open my mouth, but Ry lays his finger on my lips, stopping me.

“I love you, Kelsey,” Ry murmurs as he lowers his head. “I’ve felt this way for so long, I can’t imagine a day in my life where I won’t.”

“I love you too,” I whisper, my lips grazing his.

Then I can’t say any more because, under the three-quarter moon, I’m being kissed by a man who has part of me.

And this time, I trust he’ll treat it with the care it deserves.