My hands are shaking as I button up my coat. Tears stream down my face as I stomp down the driveway and climb into the passenger seat of Nick’s car.
“I’m sorry, Nick,” I say, my voice wobbly. My heart is pounding in my chest, and it’s hard to breathe. I’m so angry at my Dad, I can’t even think straight.
I turn to Nick sitting in the driver’s seat. “I’m so, so sorry my dad talked down to you and tried to humiliate you and…”
He gently takes my face in his hands, then wipes my tears with his giant thumbs.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Poppy,” he says softly.
“Yes, I do,” I say, my voice breaking. “He’s my dad. He invited you into his home and treated you like crap. I feel so bad about that.”
“You shouldn’t.” His tone is steady and soft and certain. “Poppy, don’t you dare apologize for things that aren’t your fault.”
He presses the softest kiss to my forehead. I close my eyes, savoring the feel of his big hands and his soft lips. Pure comfort.
My heartbeat starts to slow, and my breathing evens out.
He leans back and gazes at me, the look in his eyes soft and warm.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He nods and smiles softly. “Yeah.”
“Really?”
“I really am. I mean, yeah, it wasn’t fun to hear your dad say those things about me, but I expected it.”
“How can you be so cool about this?” I ask, mystified at how well he’s handling this.
“Because of the way you stood up for me. That meant everything, Poppy.” He swallows, and his smile turns shy. “It felt like you meant it.”
“Of course I meant it, Nick. I meant every single word. You’re incredible. The most amazing guy I know.”
My feelings for Nick bubble up inside of me. It’s so intense that my entire body is vibrating.
I’ve been pushing aside my feelings for him for so long, it feels like I’m going to burst.
So maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe I should just tell him how I feel about him.
Nerves fire off inside of me. What if he doesn’t feel the same? What if he rejects me?
I can’t hold this in any longer, though. I can’t keep pretending that all I want from him is just to be his friend and fool around with him in bed. I want more. I want him for real.
And there’s only one way to find out if he feels the same way about me.
I take a breath. “Nick, I’m crazy about you. I don’t want to be just two friends who fool around and pretend to be a couple. I know we agreed to take it slow, but I can’t anymore. I caught feelings for you. And I want to be with you for real.”
I hold my breath and brace myself for his response. But he doesn’t say anything. He just crashes his mouth against mine and kisses me hard.
“I wanna be with you, Poppy,” he murmurs against my mouth. “I want you to be my girlfriend for real. So, so bad.”
“You do?” I say between kisses, giddy and surprised all at once.
“Of course I do. Poppy, I’m nuts about you.” A second later, his gaze sobers and focuses. “I’ve always felt this way about you. I’ve always liked you. I’ve always wanted you.”
I wrap my hands around Nick’s wrists as he holds my face. My heart feels like it’s bursting in my chest.
“You seriously want to do this? Be in an actual relationship? You’re sure?”
