“But, Sloane?”
“Yeah?”
“I meant what I said. I love you. Drunk confession or not, that doesn’t change,” he reassures me.
I’m full-on ugly crying now. Riley hands me tissues while Maggie rubs my back.
“I love you too,” I whisper. “So much.”
“Get some sleep. Text me when you wake up. We’ll talk more then.”
“Okay.”
“And, Sloane? Welcome home.”
After we hang up, I sit there, staring at my phone, tears running down my face.
“Well,” Riley says finally. “If that wasn’t the most romantic thing I’ve ever witnessed.”
“I drunk dialed him.” I giggle.
“You confessed your love, too,” Riley states.
“He said he loves me too,” I say, looking at my girls.
“Of course he does. We could have told you that weeks ago.” Maggie hugs me tight. “I’m so proud of you. That was so brave.”
“I’m still terrified.”
“Good. Means it matters.” She pulls back. “Now get some sleep. Tomorrow you can panic about what you said tonight.”
“Can’t wait,” I mutter, but I’m smiling.
Riley tucks the blanket around me. “Sweet dreams. Dream about your sexy boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Yet,” they say in unison.
After they leave, I lie there in the dark, my head spinning from alcohol and emotions and the reality of what just happened.
I told Jax I love him.
He said he loves me too.
I’m moving to Silver Valley.
We bought a business.
My entire life is changing.
And for the first time in months, maybe years, I’m not scared of the change.
I’m excited.
I pull out my phone one more time.
SLOANE: I love you.
