“Two days was far too long,” I whisper and he frowns at me as he brushes his thumb against my lip.
“I know, Sunshine.” I smile at him when I recall hearing him tell me why he calls me that nickname.
We hold each other for a few more seconds before I lean back and bring my eyes up to his eager to make the most out of the little time we have. “So, what did you think of the texts between Bray and I.”
“I think I’m proud of you for attempting to talk to him about it. I saw what you were doing there.”
“I just wanted to try and mention it or I don’t know, get him used to it. But at least he did approve of us going to homecoming together.”
“Yeah, I have to say that does kind of shock me a bit.”
“Well, it’s a start. I think we can wait until after the game to tell him since you’re worried about the scouts but Zach, I do think we need to tell him before the dance on Saturday.”
I watch as Zach chews that thought over, his jaw muscle ticking which indicates to me that he's most likely not too fond of the idea.
“Zach, we have to.”I reach for his free hand and step closer. He dips his forehead to mine and I can sense a wave of dread wash over him. “We have to tell him that we are-”
“That we are what, Sunshine?” His tone dips to a deep whisper as he opens his eyes up to mine. “That we're together?
“Well, are we?” I lift my head, still holding his hand in mine as I search his eyes for clarity, because I suppose now is the time to get it.
I’ve never really thought about a label, even though Ry kept referring to us as a situationship. I just always just knew that being with Zach made me happy. But now that I think about it, how is Bray or anyone else going to be able to get on board and be supportive of us if we don’t even know whatusis?
I wait as every emotion I can possibly feel floats between me and the man before me. Time has stopped and also zoomed past us, we've seen eye to eye and we've had a few disagreements. Butif there's anything I know more than anything in this world is that nothing feels more real than what I feel when I'm with Zach.
“Cadence, can I tell you something?” He asks and I nod my head silently at him.
“Your brother once made me swear to protect you,” he starts. “To look after you. I knew deep down that for me, it was never going to be an easy task. Because I always knew how important you were to me and I knew it was going to be hard not to fall for you." He closes his eyes and I can't help but to squeeze his hand, trying to process what he's saying myself. "I had no choice but to keep my distance over the years because I always thought I needed to protect you from me too.”
“Why would I need protection from you, Zach?”
He sighs “Because everyone I’ve ever loved always leaves.”
I shake my head, desperate to get him to stop believing that. “That’s not true.” I declare. “I really hope you don’t believe that, Zach.”
“It’s always felt like that,” he says. A somber tone laced in his words.
Zach lifts a finger, putting it under chin and uses it to lift my head up to look at him. “But with you, I want to take that risk. I think it'll be worth it, Cadie. Lately, and for the longest time, you’re the only thing that seems to make things feel better. You make it all seem like everything is possible.”
His words travel straight to my ears and down to my heart, a sound of praise and admiration I don't think I can say I've ever heard before.
“Zach…” I let my words fade, emotional to what I’m hearing and clueless on how to respond. I had no idea that I had that kind of impact on anyone, yet alone on Zach. “What are you trying to say?” I ask, seeing a look in his eyes.
“I’m saying," he leans in and whispers, "that I want you to be my girlfriend, Cadence.”
A tear forms in the corner of my eye as I feel the rapture permeate from his words. It slips down gently, falling over my cheek and down to my jaw, though still, I keep my eyes firmly on his.
Zach doesn't say a thing as he reaches for me, pulling me in for a kiss. And the bliss of this moment seeps into my soul, gripping me like there’s no tomorrow. I’m in heaven. I’m convinced of as much now. And I feel it. I feel the way my soul reaches for his and dances along the edge of happiness together. I feel like of all the things in the world, Zach could be my favorite. I feel right for the right person and my body feels different for the right person, just as Ry said I would.
"Why are you crying?" Zach swipes at the tears and I don't really know what to say. Except I do. I can feel it. It’s going to happen. Everything about this man and everything he’s done for me and said to me nurtures this moment and fosters a space where I believe that nothing else is true other than the fact that circumferences my heart
I'm going to say it. I take a deep breath and steady my eyes over his, leaning into his touch for purchase.
"I love you," I say and in no time at all, Zach leans down and kisses me. I can feel his smile pressing against my lips before he pulls away. And the soft, fleeting gesture was all I needed to feel the reciprocation of that feeling and as if that wasn't enough…
“I love you, Cadence," he whispers back and my heart feels like it could burst out of my chest. But then I repay his words in my head.
“Wait," I start, pinching my brow inward. "Don't you mean,I love you, too?”
