Page 38 of That Friendzone Feeling

Itake his face in my hands.

“No,Walker.No.”Ican’t stop the tears—they spill from my eyes and roll down my cheeks. “Itwasn’t your fault.”Istroke his smooth, beautiful chin. “You’renot to blame.”

Hisgaze hasn’t left mine.It’slike he’s holding onto me for dear life with his eyes.

“AndIalmost killed you too.”Hisvoice is measured and calm.This, too, is a fact to him.

Thelump in my throat is so hugeIcan barely squeeze out any words around it.Irest my fingers against his lips. “Shhh.”Ishake my head.

Thenit hits me, like a lightning strike.Oh, myGod.Iget it now. “Isthis why you always worry so much ifI’mlate?”

Hiseyes are still locked on mine like they’ll never leave.

“You’reeverything,Em,” he says softly.

Theache in my chest is swallowed by a surge of love.Thelove for a friendI’vefelt for years.Andthe new form of loveI’vebeen trying my best to ignore sinceNewYear’s.

Finally, he moves, raising his hands to take hold of mine.Hepresses my fingers againsthis lips and kisses them.

Inod and gulp in some air in the hope it’ll help me form words. “You’reeverything too.”Thelast word is almost swallowed by a giant sob that flies from me.

Theshock of the crash, the hurt of thinking he was angry with me, the saddest possible revelation that he’s always blamed himself for his parents’ death, and the feelings for him swelling inside me are all too much.

Ican barely snatch a breath, and the tears won’t stop.

“Hey.”Heremoves his seat belt, puts his arms around me, and pulls me to him. “It’sall going to be okay.”

Irock against him, my face buried in his chest, as the sobs consume me.I’msupposed to be the one consoling him, not the other way around.Buthere he is, taking care of me whenIshould be taking care of him, like the wonderful, caring, supportive man he’s always been.I’mthe luckiest woman alive.

Herubs my back and strokes my hair over and over, making a soothingshhhsound, until my breath steadies.

“I’msorryIyelled,” he says, his breath warm against my head.

Ipull back to see him smiling down at me, his eyes saying how much he cares as he caresses my cheek and wipes away the tears.

AndIknow.Iknow whatIhave to do.AndIknow it can’t wait a second longer.

Ipush away his hand and grab his face again.

“It’sokay that you yelled.BecauseIfucking love you.”

AndIsmash my lips against his.

12

WALKER

Emily’slips are salty from her tears.

Andthey’re on mine.

Talkabout shock upon shock.

Oneminute we’re sitting in a crashed car, having narrowly escaped disaster, the next,Emtells me she loves me and kisses me.

Wavesof excitement and relief crash together and wash over me at the realization that it’s not only me who feels this way.AndnowI’mabsolutely certain of one thing—I’vewanted her all along, since day one of grad school.

Icup her face and tilt it to the perfect angle to capture her top lip between mine.It’sthe most delicious thingI’veever tasted.