Catching me in his arms and peppering kisses all over my face, he coaches me through my panic. “Whatyouneed to do is stop freaking out and breathe before you pass out.”
“Easy for you to say. This is your life. This is only a walk in the park for you.”
“If you choose to be in my life, this is going to be the new norm. People are going to film you—us. Make up all sorts of rumors and try to break you down with words. It’s only going to get worse from here.”
Our gazes bore into one another.
“What are you saying?”
His smile is full of sadness. “Whether I’m worth it to you or not.”
“You’ll always be worth it—never say that.” My voice thickens, and I swallow tightly.
I shake my head, in denial. How could he even think I’d give him up at the first sign of trouble?
“What kind of best friend would I be if I let you endure cyberbullying from the entire world?”
With my chin in the middle of his chest, I look up at him. “Are you putting me in the friend zone?”
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to get out.”
I grin as he speaks, making his lips twitch.
“I’ve been banging on the door, trying to get out for a while.”
Bouncing on his feet, he shakes me along. “I’ve been looking through the peephole, waiting for you.”
“I dare you.”
“Dare me to what?”
The bus jolts. If it wasn’t for Elijah holding me tightly, I would have landed on the floor.
I roll my eyes like he’s asking me a stupid question. “The big question.”
“For your hand in marriage? I thought I already did that.”
I slap his chest.
Barking out a laugh, he continues, “Lily Papas, will you do me the greatest honor and be my girlfriend until the day I actually ask you to be my wife?”
I hold myself from jumping up and down. Instead, a cheeky smile brings up my cheeks. “I guess if I have to.”
Holding me by my shoulders, looking very serious all of a sudden, he blurts, “But you need to tell me when you’re sad. It’s what I’m made for. It’s my duty as your boyfriend.”
“That’s the most you can do as my boyfriend.” I joke, teasing him when I’m really swooning.
“So, you’ll put up with me and the crazy world I live in?”
“Yep.” I say, all giddy.
Little Lily would have been skipping if she had known her best friend would turn into her boyfriend.
Brushing his lips across mine, sealing an unsaid promise, he pulls away. “Even if people are calling you the band’s groupie?”
“Elijah!”
When my mouth pops open, he scurries away toward our shared bathroom.
