Page 54 of Heartstruck

Alli

I’m scrolling through Amazon, searching for a matcha mix that doesn’t taste like straight-up syrup.

The one I bought from the local Asian store was way too sweet, and my backup purchase failed me.

I can’t believe I’ve avoided matcha for this long.

The whisk and bowl really do make a difference in how good it tastes.

I’m snapped back into reality before I add a new tumbler to my cart when I hear a knock on the door.

“Honey, your boyfriend is here,” my mom shouts, far too casual for someone dropping that kind of bomb. She’s already on her way out with the rest of the family, everyone grabbing coats and scarves like it’s a military operation to go for a walk in the park.

I scramble up, nearly knocking my blanket off my body.

Jared finds me in the living room, standing in the doorway like he doesn’t know where to go. His hands are stuffed in the pockets of his hoodie, snow still dusting his shoulders, cheeks pink from the cold.

I know I invited him over, but it suddenly feels like we’re two awkward teenagers on their first date, unsure of what to do with each other.

Do I wave hi? Invite him in? Offer him Hot Cheetos like I’m some kind of weirdo who keeps them for guests?

“You just going to stand there all day?”

I tip my head, biting back a smile. “I’m not the one showing up like I’m not sure where to sit.”

His shoulders shake with a quiet chuckle as he adjusts his hoodie, hands still buried inside. “Was I supposed to bring balloons or something?”

“Balloons aren’t necessary.”

“Damn, guess I’ll need to return the confetti.” He smirks, the sound of his chuckle following him as he steps further inside. “Where was everyone going?”

“Out for a walk.”

“All of them?”

“It’s my mom,” I explain, shrugging slightly. “Group activities are mandatory after the holidays.”

“Oh, that’s right. The holiday fun agenda.

” His smirk widens into a full-blown grin, and even now, after countless kisses and shared moments, my heart does this ridiculous flip like it’s all new again.

He kicks off his shoes casually, the same way he always does when he’s making himself cozy.

Then he sinks across from me onto the couch, legs stretched out, head tipped back against the cushion, completely at ease.

It feels easy, like we’ve always belonged in this space together.

“I’m sorry I missed going to brunch with you and the family,” he says, breaking the silence. He leans forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. It feels so effortless. “Did your aunt freak out?”

I laugh, more at the absurdity of it than anything. “She did not go,” I pause after every word. “My mom told her to keep her distance.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” I rest my head on his shoulder. “My mom’s just tired of dealing with her sister being so uptight and judgmental. Apparently, I wasn’t her only target that night. So, my mom told her to pry less.”

“What about Evelyn? You two okay?”

I sigh, my fingers fiddling with the sleeve of his hoodie. “Cousins will fight and hold grudges.” I let that thought settle for a few minutes. “But we’ll always come back to each other. Just… give us time."

“Is she seriously upset with you?”

I pause, the words sticking in my throat.

“She was. It’s about something I didn’t know how to handle.

Her mom’s been a mess lately, and Evelyn’s stuck in the middle, dealing with the tension while the rest of the family’s just tired of it.

” I chew my cheek, my voice softening as I lean in closer.

“She’s pissed, but… it’s more complicated.

I think she’s just giving me space to figure things out. ”

“And how does that make you feel?”

I shrug, but there’s a heaviness in the way I carry myself now. “I’m not really sure. I just know family is… family, you know? We’re not always perfect, but I’m here for her, and I know she’ll be there for me too. Eventually.”

He intertwines his fingers with mine. “That’s all you can do. Just be there when it matters.”

Tension coils in my chest, and I’m suddenly hyperaware of how quiet the house is.

I glance at him, stretched out across the couch like he owns the place—he’s probably more at home here than I am, and I live here.

It’s almost like he’s unpacking his things in his mind.

And that thought terrifies me more than it should.

“Since when are we officially a couple?” The words fall out before I’ve had time to hide them behind a joke or a smile.

Jared pauses mid-stretch, his hand still behind his head, and raises an eyebrow at me. His way of asking me what are you talking about? .

“My mom called you my boyfriend earlier. I didn’t realize she made that official for us. Did I miss a memo?”

He angles his head, his lips curving into a smirk. “Since the night you stood up for yourself and called me your boyfriend. What a grand gesture.”

“Did I? I don’t recall.”

“You kissed me,” he points out, entirely too smug. “Pretty sure that sealed the deal.”

My face burns hotter than a fireplace at full blaze. “That was before—” I cut myself off.

Jared swings his feet to the floor and stands in one smooth move. He looks down at me with that same unreadable intensity—the kind that makes my heart stutter, even when I know he’s just messing with me.

“Before what?” he challenges quietly.

I search for something to say, some witty comeback that’ll derail whatever he’s trying to get me to admit. But there’s nothing. Because Jared’s right. It did mean something. More than I want to acknowledge, it means something.

His gaze shifts slightly, enough for me to catch my breath. “Alli, you know we’re past all the fake dating crap and time away from each other. You don’t need to overthink this.”

“I’m not overthinking it,” I lie, my heart racing anyway. “I just didn’t realize that was the official Facebook relationship status change.”

“Yeah, you are.” Jared crouches down so we’re eye to eye, his presence pushing closer until it feels impossible to breathe without inhaling him, too.

He rubs my thighs in comfort. “Okay, if that wasn’t official enough, let’s go the direct route.

” His voice lowers in confidence. “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”

I swallow hard. The question hangs there, far simpler than I ever expected. “Jared…”

“Yes or no, Alli,” he presses, unrelenting but impossibly gentle.

The air leaves my lungs in a shaky rush. My fingers curl into my lap as I gather the courage to look up at him, locking eyes with the boy who’s somehow seen more of me than I was ever prepared for. “Yes.”

He grins, like he knows something I don’t, making my pulse beat like a drum. “Do you love me? Yes or no?”

I shouldn’t let him throw me off course like this. But right now, I wouldn’t change a thing. I meet his eyes, my lips pulling into a grin.

“Yes.”

We just smile, both of us still caught in the moment. Then Jared shifts closer, his lips grazing mine—quick, teasing, and it’s like everything stops.

He doesn’t move far, just enough to breathe against my lips, and his eyes hold mine like he sees every messy corner I’ve tried to hide.

“Told you it wasn’t so hard.”

I roll my eyes because, of course, Jared would celebrate the win like he’s just solved world peace. His grin deepens, pulling back only to straighten to his full height, hands sliding into his hoodie pockets like he’s about to lay down a challenge.

“Now, time for the official question,” his voice turns loud and certain, the way he sounds on the field right before he calls a play. “Alli, will you be my girlfriend?”

I look up at him, speechless, my heart already answering for me. The words feel like a punchline, but I don’t hesitate.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you love that about me,” he shoots back.

I huff out a laugh, rolling my eyes because damn it, he’s right. “Fine.”

“Fine?”

I take a breath, saying it a little louder this time. “Yes. I’ll be your girlfriend.”

Jared throws his arms up like he just won a championship game. “Hell yeah!” He fists the air before turning back to me, his grin wide and shameless. “Allison Castillo’s my girlfriend.”

I shake my head, but I can’t fight my smile. “You’re such a dork.”

“And you’re stuck with me now.”

His grin spreads wide, bright enough to outshine the Christmas lights. “Good.”

And just like that, he yanks me off the armchair and spins me around like we’re in some cheesy rom-com, the kind that’ll make my cousins groan when they walk in. I swat at him, laughing despite myself.

“Jared!”

“What? I’m celebrating,” he says, his arms still loosely around my waist as he sets me down. He presses a lingering kiss to my forehead, his lips warm against my skin.

“You’re crazy,” I whisper, my voice muffled against him.

“I’m your boyfriend,” he corrects, smug as ever.

As his arms pull me in closer, I realize I don’t mind it at all.

“You’re gonna have to wear the shirt now, no getting out of it.”

“Shirt?” I raise an eyebrow, playing dumb.

“At my games.”

“Oh, I’ll be the loudest cheerleader there.” I shoot him a teasing grin.

He steps closer, a toothy smile betraying his put-together front. “I love you,” he says quietly, and I wasn’t ready for how those words hit me.

I smile, tracing the line of his jaw with my thumb before cupping his face, the feeling in my chest undeniable. “I love you, too,” I whisper, the words slipping out without hesitation.