“At the end of the six weeks, however,” he exclaims, “I’m going to get my ass over here to take you home and I’m gluing you to my side for the next year.”
My smile’s so wide it could light up the room. “That’s some ratio.”
“The forty-six weeks together will more than make up for the six apart.”
“Overkill.”
“Underkill,” he disagrees.
I stare into his eyes and whisper, “Zach, you’re the one who’ll have girls all over you.”
He grabs my ass. “The only girl I wantoverme andunderme and every which way in between. Is. You. They can look but the only person who can touch is YOU.”
Now I’m back to squirming after that growled vow.
And he knows. The jerk.
“Right, pizza, a shower, then sleep." His tone tells me he's making an effort to cheer up. "I’m too tired to even fuck you, gorgeous, and that’s just criminal.”
While he trudges off to the bathroom, I press my fingers to my lips as I watch him go.
He’s right. Iamgoing to have a ball. But he’s also wrong… I’m going to miss him like crazy.
It’s six weeks. Just six weeks. It’ll roll by so fast that in the blink of an eye, it’ll be over. So, I know I need to make the most of it and savor this independent stay because I have to accept that this isn’t temporary for Zach.
Iamit for him.
It’s clear in how he treats me. How he wants the best for me. How he loves me. How he praises me. How he supports and celebrates me.How he wants me to be happy even if it's at his expense.
Andheis it for me.
I can accept that too.
Fucked-up history and commitment issues aside, he’s shown me the light.
Spending those forty-six weeks glued to his side will be no hardship.
Because this is it.
Us.
Denny and Zach.
Zach and Denny.
And I want it no other way…
So, why haven’t I said the words out loud yet?
FORTY-SEVEN
CALAMA—EW
I stare downat the plate of squid rings with black bits sticking out that the waiter dropped in front of me before wading through the madcap crowd of tables. “I thought you at least liked me, D.”
“Trust me, it’s sooo good. Myabuelaused to make it.Arroz melosa.”
“I’m suddenly grateful that she always used to feed Pecan and me chicken nuggets.”
