“No,” I say quickly. “It wasn’t anything like that. I broke up with him because... because of Venice. And art history and Quidditch and secret study rooms. And fairy gifts. And late-night study sessions when someoneshouldhave been with his study group.”
His mouth, which had been clamped shut, drops open slightly in shock. He doesn’t look upset or disgusted, though. I take that as a good sign and keep going.
“I’m so glad you consider me your best friend. And I knowI’m probably about to mess everything up, but I can’t pretend that I only want to be friends. It took me way too long, but I finally realized I want to be with someone whogetsme. Someone who likes my quirks and obsessions and makes me laugh until I can’t breathe. Will could never do that.” I swallow hard. “Not like you do.”
He transforms in front of me then. His furrowed brow and stiff posture melt away. His eyes turn soft and warm, a beautiful deep brown just the way they were when we first met on the stairs. He takes a step forward and all my fears evaporate. We’re close enough now that I need to look up in order to see his face, and I realize that my mom was right all those months ago. Nothing compares with the look on someone’s face when they realize you love them as much as they love you.
“You broke up with him for me?”
I nod.
“You can’t imagine how many times I’ve hoped you’d say that. It’s been killing me pretending I don’t care.”
“Pretending? But what about prom and double dates and all that stuff?”
He laughs roughly. “You believed that? I must be the best actor in the world.”
Tears spring to my eyes and I blow out a shaky breath. I’m about to collapse with relief and happiness. “I’m sorry it took me this long,” I whisper. “I should have known how you felt. HowIfelt.”
He combs my hair away from my face, making me shiver. “And how do you feel?”
“Like you’re still standing too far away from me.”
His lips spread into a roguish grin I’ve never seen before. Then he pulls me to him, pressing his mouth to mine like he’s suffocating and I’m his only source of oxygen. Heat and light explode behind my eyes. I wind my arms around his neck and he falls back against the wall. His hands slide up my sides to the back of my neck and twist into my hair. I kiss the corner of his mouth and skim my lips along his jawline. He groans, low and hoarse, which only makes me kiss him harder.
Eventually, we loosen our holds on each other, our chests heaving and bodies shaking. We stare at each other in dazed wonder. How have we gone so many months without doing this? We should have been kissing from the moment we met. It’s as if wehavebeen kissing since that moment. As if our mouths were created for this purpose alone.
“I didn’t think it was possible for this to be better than I imagined it,” he says between uneven breaths.
“Oh, so you’ve imagined kissing me before?” I run my lips down his jawline again and his fingers dig into my back.
“I haven’t done much else in weeks.”
Obviously that makes me kiss him again. This time he spins me so I’m pressed up against the wall. I’d be happy to never leave this spot.
The door cracks open. “Ughhh. You guys do know I can hear everything you say out there.”
We both jump. I’d forgotten about everything but Dev.
“I’m happy you’ve stopped torturing yourselves,” Huanwhisper-calls, “but some of us are trying to nap after a brutal exam.”
“Get some earplugs, then,” Dev calls back, and dips his head to kiss my neck.
“Get a room. One that doesn’t already have someone sleeping in it.”
Dev is about to retort, but I tug his hand. I have an idea. “Do you think your secret study room is empty?”
That perfect new grin of his returns. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Chapter
41
The next morning, I’m back in the Long Gallery of Emberton. This is where Mr. Odell made his welcoming speech on our first day and I couldn’t concentrate from nerves and elation. I still can’t concentrate, but that’s because I’m waiting for someone.
People stream past toward the breakfast room. Among the students is a knot of professors. One of them breaks off and walks over to me. Dr. Lotfi.
“Ellie, have you seen Dev this morning?”
