He pulled out his phone and ten seconds later my pocket buzzed. I turned away from Ashley and peeked at the message.
Ashton: I’m a little shocked. I was expecting, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me…”
Everyone in the program or anyone who knew me at all knew thatJane Eyrequote was my favorite. Or it had been. Until recently.
Me: You recited all of those beautiful quotes to me when we took that horse ride and I realized later that I didn’t reciprocate at all.
Ashton: Wait, this quote is how you feel about me?
Peace settled in my chest, and I realized that, over the last few weeks, the feeling had only grown as I'd made an effort to relax into Ashton's love. This was right.Hewas right.
I could wax eloquent, but sometimes a simple one-word answer is the correct response.
Me: Yes.
Then I added,
Me: It’s like the Brontë sisters are bookends to our friendship. We started with Charlotte and we’re ending with Emily. I’m going to get you to fall in love with the Brontë’s one way or another.
Ashton: Never. I refuse.
I huffed and then laughed.
Ashton: We’re ending?
Me: You need to flip the card over!
I watched as he did and envisioned those words in my mind.
I’m ready, Ash. For all of it. The intense, the scary, the wild, the wonderful. Everything that being in a relationship with you will be. And I want to experience it fully. I don’t want you to ask if you can touch me. Just touch me. Hug me. Tickle me. Tease me.
Kiss me.
Today. Please. Intensely. Don’t hold back. I know I won’t. Not anymore.
You’re my best friend, my favorite person, and…
Well, I’ll save that part for face-to-face.
And before you ask me if I’m sure, I’ll save you the trouble. I’ve never been more sure about anything or anyone.
Love,
Tally
PS: I promise no more broken noses. Just maybe don’t sneak up on me.
PPS: I left a present for you on Incognito.
He must’ve reread it three times, he stared at the cardso long, processing. Then he looked up. Our eyes met. I smiled. He didn’t. His expression was serious and intense.
He slipped the card into his pocket and picked his phone up, his fingers tapping, focused on the screen, and I knew he was going to Incognito.
Right now.
licensed to swoon chapter twenty seven
RAVEN
