Her smile is how I feel on the inside.
I love you.
I can’t believe I said it for the first time over text.
I call her, and she picks up on the first ring. My heart is pounding out of my chest.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t say it in person. It’s true, though. I love you so much. I’m in love with you.” The words rush out.
“I love you too,” she says softly. “I’ve almost said it so many times, but…I don’t know what I was waiting for.”
“Same. I think because I felt these feelings so soon, I wanted to wait until some time had passed so you’d take me seriously, but…I’ve been loving you…all along.”
She sniffles and her voice cracks when she says, “Me too. I love you so much, Dylan.”
“God, I want to kiss you right now.”
She laughs. “I don’t want to wish time away, but if we could just fast-forward a few weeks and be at the part where we’re together more…that would be really great. But even then, we’re still not going to live in the same town.”
I groan. “I can’t think about that part yet. It’s too brutal. I’ll make the drive to see you as much as I possibly can.”
“Okay. I will too, promise.”
It’s hard to end the call, but eventually we have to get back to our families….back to evading all probing questions.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
GRAND OPENING
DAHLIA
I kiss Dylan one more time.
“Okay, I know you have to go.” I take a step back and motion for him to go out the door.
He tugs me against him and gives me a kiss that makes my knees buckle.
“I love that there’s no ‘I’m leaving in a few days’ hanging over our heads,” he says.
I grin and sigh. “Me too.”
“Okay, you’re right. I really do have to go,” he says. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
Ever since Dylan told me over text that he loves me, we’ve been saying it multiple times, every day.
“Have the best time. I hope it’s a huge success. It’s going to be! Enjoy every minute.”
Windhaven, Dylan’s family resort, is having its grand opening. Their soft opening was a huge success, and I have no doubt this will only be better.
“I can’t change your mind about coming, can I?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. I’ll be here when you’re done, though.”
We’re still staying at the Airbnb when I’m in Windy Harbor because Dylan’s moved into the family home. Each of the Whitman siblings has a parcel of land, and Dylan has only begun to really think about what kind of house he’d like. He spends his nights here and then sneaks out around four every morning to make it back to the house before his grandmas wake up.
Besides that one outing to The Loon, Chloe and I have stayed put. We play outside. The backyard is beautiful, and just beyond the grass is Lake Superior, so we have plenty to do while we’re here, but sometimes I’d like to visit all the cute places in town. The Kitty-Corner Cafe looks so enticing, and Erin’s shop, Cox Trading Post, sounds amazing.
