Okay so, like, I thought about not saying anything because you did start dating my sister behind my back and obviously there needs to be some sort of payback for that, but I can’t abandon a brother in his time of need.
I know Liv better than I know myself. She loves you. I promise. Now pick her up and bring her home. You’re not the only one waiting to see her.
Me
About that. Maybe we can push dinner to tomorrow? I haven’t seen my girl in six damn months.
Gabe
I’m so sure you didn’t just tell me to cancel my sister’s welcome home dinner so you can…what exactly?
Asher
Brian, my dude, don’t answer that.
Me
Do I look like an idiot?
Jeremy
If you cancel dinner, you’ll face Maddy’s newly minted teenage wrath, and I’m pretty sure you want to avoid that.
Me
Fine, dinner’s on. Assuming she still likes me after I professed my undying love for her in a damn letter.
Gabe
Seriously, Brian, you and Liv were made for each other. I’m really joking about the whole big brother thing. I love that you’re together, and I love watching how much you love her. It’s special, what you two have.
Asher
Fuck, Gabe. That made me all emo.
Ben
Same.
Jordan
Big brother coming in clutch.
Jeremy
Emma just asked me why my eyes are all red and teary.
“I love you, too.”
My head snaps up, my phone falling right out of my hand and clattering onto the polished linoleum floor of the airport at the sound of Olivia’s voice, and when I look up, there she is. My breath hitches, my heart banging against my ribs as the airport freezes around me, the entire world shrinking down to the space between me and where Olivia stands. Wearing a long cotton dress the same green as her eyes, her hair tumbles over her shoulders, and she’s beaming at me.
Mine.
All fucking mine.
“Did I break you?” she asks, amusement in her tone. And then, without giving me a chance to respond, she laughs and drops her bag to the floor, throwing herself at me.
I catch her on the fly, my arms wrapping around her, hers tight around my neck, her legs around my waist. And with her body pressed against mine, all space between us gone, I am finally, perfectly, home.
