Page 40 of The Last Person

Love is the way the joy in your eyes lights my soul

Especially when I’m the cause of it

Love is your tender words

When my heart is in turmoil

Love is your handwriting on a scrap of paper

Telling me nothing and everything

Love is every silent moment you sit beside me

And never force me to speak

Love is your lips pressing into mine

If only in my wildest dreams

Love is your head resting on my chest in every fantasy

The only place I get to love you back

Tears form in the backs of my eyes. Every word of that encapsulates how I feel about Brian. But I don’t want to let it be a fantasy. I want it for real.

“I’m heading out. You need anything before I go?”

I stand up and spin around, heart hammering in my chest as I stare at Brian. “Don’t go.”

“Hey, I told you I’m fine. That tackle just knocked the wind?—”

“No. That’s not what I’m talking about. Don’t go on the date.”

His brows dip in, uncertainty and curiosity dancing in his eyes, and when he speaks, his voice is so low it’s barely a whisper. “Why?”

“Because if you’re going to date someone, date me.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

BRIAN

This must bewhat a stroke feels like.

I can’t move my limbs. My face is numb. It’s hard to breathe.

Because Hardy just—he just said…

“Are you… serious?” I ask, rubbing my hand over my heart. I’m not convinced any of this is real. Maybe that hit during the game killed me, and now I’m living in my personal version of heaven. Or hell. Depending on his answer.

He closes the gap between us and looks up at me, his brown eyes glassy and filled with emotion.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. You’re the only person I can think about. The only one I want. The thought of losing you to someone else is more than I can bear. I know you want someone to love, someone to be with, to find your person. Well, I’m standing right here. Choose me.”

Holy shit.Holy shit.

He actually said those words. I reach down and pinch my leg, trying to reassure myself I’m not dreaming.

“You want to… date me?”