We wander through the aisles, her hand still in mine. The electricity between us is a constant hum that makes my heart race. She stops occasionally to pull out a book and show it to me, her excitement contagious.
“Have you read this one?” she asks, holding up a copy of a classic novel.
“Not yet,” I admit.
But I will, now that I know you like it.
A little bit farther down the aisle, I see a special edition ofPride and Prejudiceand pull it out. It’s dark blue with gold lettering and edges.
“Oh my God, this is so beautiful,” she whispers, reaching out to touch the pages.
“Do you like Jane Austen?” I ask, knowing very well she does, but, as Misha suggested, I’m going to earn my knowledge.
“This is my favorite, and honestly, I know it’s yours too. I may have asked Jamie some questions about you,” she mumbles, and I have to laugh.
You’remy favorite.
“The first time I saw you, you were reading this,” I whisper. “You were in the cafeteria all by yourself.”
Am I really going to do this?
She furrows her brow, a small smile playing on her lips. “That must have been years ago, just when I started. I took a book with me to lunch the first few weeks not to look too pathetic while eating alone.”
I put the book back on the shelf and glance up and down the row. There’s nobody else here, just us. Stepping closer, I press her against the bookshelf with my body, cupping her cheek, my thumb brushing across her freckles. “I saw you then, and my world tilted and was never the same again.”
“What?” she breathes out, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I never believed in love at first sight before I saw you. I never craved anyone’s attention before I had yours. And I will never be the man I was before I got to know you.” I trace a line across her cheekbone with my thumb and whisper, “You’re my favorite.”
Her eyes widen, and her breath is warm against my lips. “Oliver…”
My heart is pounding, and my hands shake. “I’m going to kiss you now, Amelia. But this is… my first kiss ever, so bear with me, okay? I swear I’m good at learning new things.”
She chuckles quietly and is about to say something, but I can’t hold back anymore. I lean in, capturing her lips while my chest tingles like crazy. The initial touch is a little awkward. But she responds gently, her lips moving against mine, guiding me. The insecurity begins to melt away as I focus on the warmth and softness of her kiss, taking her face in both my hands.
I could die from happiness right now.
Between kisses, I mumble against her lips, “You’re my favorite laugh… my favorite scent… my favorite face… my favorite person… my favorite everything…” I kiss her once more. “My Fave.”
She sighs, her hands finding their way to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. When she deepens the kiss, my mind goes blank as I try to follow her lead.
Nothing has ever felt this good.
We break the kiss, our noses touching as we look into each other’s eyes. My hands wander to her hips, running my fingers up and down her sides, savoring the feel of her beneath my touch.
“I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you, and I’ll love you until my heart gives out.”
Her eyes widen, and she takes a deep breath. “Oliver…”
“I know about your feelings for them,” I add quickly. “And I don’t care. I just want to be honest with you. I want to be with you in whatever way works for us.”
Tears glisten in her eyes, and she reaches out to cup my cheek. “I lo—” she starts, but I stop her with another soft peck on her lips.
“I waited two years to tell you that I love you. I let you wait for way too long. Let me wait, Amelia. I deserve it,” I tell her,my hand coming to rest on her neck, stroking her pulse point, feeling how fast her heart beats.
Maybe even a little faster than mine.
Grabbing the special edition, I take her hand. “I think we both know this by heart now, but I’d love to hear you read it to me.”
