She swallowed several times. “I don’t want to be something else. I’m bad at being a human, but—”
Jesse exploded off the couch. “Stop that! You are perfect at being a human! You’re better at being a human than so many people in the world. You show love, you bring beauty to the world, and you care about others. You get knocked down and you get back up, and then you climb higher. Sophie, that’s why I love you.” Without thinking about it, he pulled her to her feet, shaking his head in admiration. “You stand out because you effingshine. Do you understand me? You’re not below normal, you’re above normal. And— and I’m in love with you, no matter what I am or what you are. I love you because I can’t help it.”
Because I can’t help it. Falling in love, a true and total fall.
“I don’t care what you are, I carewhoyou are. You’re Jesse Smith. You make me laugh, you make me happy, you make me feel beautiful and confused, and above all... like I’m not alone. I guess I’m trying to say— I love you back!” Sophie blurted, jumping into his arms.
“For real?” Jesse exclaimed, holding her tight, a look of joyful shock on his face.
“As real as we get.”
SHE DIDN’T KNOW ITwould be like this. Her hair was a mess and her nose was sniffly. She was wearing yesterday’s clothes.
Jesse didn’t care. He kissed her desperately, seeming heedless of his former control, abandoning the idea of “keeping things light.”
Sophie revelled in the feel of his clinging arms. He’d almost lost her. She understood the desire to keep her close, never let her go— she felt the same way, her fingers desperately clutching him.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered between kisses.
“For what? You told me the truth, I’m the one who called you a liar.I’msorry,” Sophie kissed him back, feeling her aching muscles uncoil in relief.I don’t know what happens next, but it happens with him.
“I’m sorry I’m not normal, not a regular guy.”
“I’m not a regular girl, am I?” Saying it like that, countering his apology, made her feel stronger.
Yes. I am that dark princess, no, a sorceress. I have the power to heal him. My love.“My love,” she tried out the words, her tongue shy.
“My love. My only one.”
“You don’t have to—”
“Soph. I’m not joking. If you don’t let yourself get close to anyone, well— hrm. You don’t getcloseto anyone.”
“So... you’ve never?”
“Nope.”
“Well. I never, either.”
“We don’t have to!” Jesse reassured. “It’s a big step.”
Sophie nodded. It was a big step, but she realized something as his forehead rested against hers. She wanted to take that scary, wonderful step with him.
Maybe when they were both less of an emotional mess.
“Vampires can live without food or sleep. But we look horrible,” Jesse sniffed in.
“Good to know. Feed the boyfriend.”
“Do you wanna take a nap? With me? I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman.”
Sophie found herself nodding, letting herself be led to the closed door beside the bathroom.
“I can put on a movie and we can crash. I feel like someone beat me up for the last ten hours.”
“I didn’t sleep much, either. I went through two whole rolls of toilet paper.”
Jesse’s mouth twitched. “Oh. Hrm. I guess some people get upset stomachs when they—”
