“He’s pissed with me over the news and the game, and he’s always thought he can control everything. Just ignore it. It will blow over,” I said, pulled her against me. “Now, why aren’t you at home? It’s late.” I pulled her inside and over to the couch where we sat down.
“I didn’t want to go home. I wanted to see you. You left in such a hurry and said nothing to anyone. When I left, I drove all the way to the ferry and pulled over on the side of the road. I sat there crying for a while, debating whether to go home to study or come here. Then Lorelai called, panicking about the exam and worried about our job applications. She wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise, and that was when I knew I couldn’t go home and face her. I was too upset, so I came here.”
She lifted her eyes and met mine, her bottom lip trembling. I wanted to make everything go away for both of us. I leaned down and took her mouth with mine in a slow and gentle kiss. As we parted, she opened her eyes.
“I’m glad you came here,” I whispered. “I needed you.”
I flipped the light switch to the off position, took her hand, and pulled her down the hall to the bedroom.
We lay wrapped in one another’s arms the next morning. I pressed a kiss to the side of her neck and she let out a soft moan.
“Morning beautiful,” I whispered.
“Morning,” she whispered, giggling as I playfully gripped her side, tickling her.
She shifted positions and wrapped her arm around me, kissing me.
When our lips parted, I looked down into her face. Those gorgeous green eyes of hers stared back at me in question.
“What’s on your mind?” I questioned.
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s something, I can tell,” I said, rubbing the tip of her nose with mine.
“Are you going to let your father have his way regarding us?”
I looked into her eyes and brought my hand to her cheek, then brought my lips to hers. “Not a fucking chance.”
“What if he forces it?”
“Let him try. There isn’t much one can do to force two people apart when it comes to love.”
Her eyes flew to mine, shock lining them. The word had slipped from my mouth. Not that I doubted what it was I was feeling, it was more that I wasn’t sure she was ready to hear it.
“Are you saying that you’re…um…in love…”
I brought my forefinger to her lips and looked into her eyes.
“I think I’m falling for you,” I whispered. “Actually, I’m pretty damn sure I have.”
The look in her eyes was nothing but shock. I was afraid that I may have blown this entire thing with her with that admission.
“You don’t need to say anything back. It slipped,” I said quietly.
She looked up at me, then put her hand behind my head and brought her lips to mine. When we parted, she said nothing. She just snuggled up closer to me and closed her eyes while I held her in my arms.
“I think I’m falling too,” she whispered.
Chapter 16
Aurora
One Week Later
* * *
I walked down the university’s steps and out into the fresh summer air. I took a seat on the stairs and waited for Lorelai, who was inside speaking with another student. It was our last day; we were finally free, having just written our last exam.
