She presses her hand to my chest and says, “I ran into Brian at the office supply store. It was really strange seeing him again, for obvious reasons. He was cordial and asked if we could go out to dinner.” My body tightens at the thought of them sharing a meal together. “I told him I was seeing someone, and he guessed it was you. I don’t know if he was happy for us, but he was happy that I was happy. Not sure where he stands with you.”
“As if I give two fucks,” I say.
She chuckles. “Anyway, he thought things ended abruptly and asked if we could just talk it out, find some closure. Basically, he wanted to apologize. At first, I was unsure. I told him to text me where to meet him, but after, I was uneasy about it. I was talking to Myla about whether I should go or not when I realized that it wasn’t a question at all. I needed to meet up with him.”
“To, uh . . . to see if you still had feelings for him?”
She smiles lightly. “No, Breaker, to find closure. You see, I happen to be in a relationship with someone I really care about. I wasn’t giving him everything I had because this door with Brian was still open. I never truly got to close it. That’s what tonight was about. Ending that chapter in my life so I can have a fresh start . . . with you.”
More relief floods through me, and I drop my head to the back of the couch. “Jesus,” I whisper. “Why didn’t you just tell me that?”
“Because you would have freaked out.”
“No, I wouldn’t have.”
She gives me a judging look before saying, “If I told you I was going to coffee with Brian, you would have flipped out. Don’t even lie to me.”
I glance away and mutter, “Yeah, that might have been true. But you could have told me you needed closure.”
“I guess I wasn’t one hundred percent positive about what I needed. But I’m glad I figured it out.”
“And what do you need?” I ask.
She drags her thumb over my five o’clock shadow. “I need you, Breaker. I need us. I want us.” She wets her lips. “I’m not convinced I was fully committed up until this point, and I can truly say I know what my feelings are. I know where they rest, and that’s with you.” She leans in and presses her forehead against mine. “I’m in love with you, Breaker, and that might be too soon to say, but that’s where I’m at.”
I place my hands under her shirt and hold her tightly as my chest swirls with so many fucking emotions.
She loves me.
Jesus Christ. And here I thought she was going to break up with me.
I chuckle, and she pulls away. “What’s so funny?”
“Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh at that. Poor timing.” I let out a deep sigh. “I’ve wanted to tell you I love you for some time now, but I’ve held back because I didn’t want to freak you out. And then today, I thought you were breaking up with me, but instead, you tell me you love me. I mean, fuck, I’ve been through the wringer.”
She smiles and leans in close while playing with the collar of my shirt. “You love me?”
“Desperately,” I answer. “Pathetically. To the point that I’d have no shame in following you around even if you did get back with Brian. I’m so fucking in love with you, Ophelia, that I can feel it all the way to the marrow of my bones. It’s a part of me. You’re a part of me.”
Right when I think she’s going to kiss me, she stands from my lap.
“Where are you going?” I ask, confused.
She holds her hand out, and I take it. She weaves me through her apartment to her bedroom, and then turns to face me. In one smooth motion, she lifts her shirt up and over her head.
“Fuck,” I mutter as I take in her purple lace bra.
She slides her hands under my shirt as she says, “You are a part of me too, Breaker. I’m sorry it took me a second to realize that, but I’m glad I did.”
“Are you saying that you’re mine . . . forever?” I ask.
She helps me out of my shirt and nods. “Yes, I’m yours . . . forever.”
Then she lays me down on the bed and straddles my lap. I roll her to her back and pin her to the mattress. I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her with every inch of my heart. And she returns the kiss, her mouth parting, making room for my tongue.
When I pull away and stare down in her beautiful eyes, I say, “I love you, Ophelia. So fucking much.”
She smirks and says, “I love you too . . . Pickle.”
