He sees me.
He always has.
And that’s something I let myself forget, because in that one moment, he pushed me to the side.
He sets the painting down, steps closer, takes my hand, then cups my chin, wiping away the tears slipping down my face.
“Lily,” he says softly. Lily... this is you. This is the you I’ve always known... the one I messed up with. That night, I didn’t listen to you. I brushed you off like it didn’t matter, and I know it did. I was wrong for that. I’m sorry.”
I look at him, feeling lighter.
We stay there for a moment, just looking at each other.
He squeezes my hand and pulls me a little closer. I tilt my head back so I can keep my eyes on him.
He places his hand at the back of my neck, leans down, and presses the softest kiss to my lips.
Then he rests his forehead against mine.
And we just stay there.
Breathing.
Existing.
Chapter 17 Javonte
“Where were you last night? I called you, and you didn’t answer.”
That’s the first thing Zea says when she gets into my car after school.
I turn and look at her. “Excuse me?”
“Where were you last night? I called you, and you didn’t answer. Did you not hear me the first time?”
I take a deep breath and look away from this little girl who has way more attitude than she needs for someone I’m about to take to get her hair done.
“I was out. On a date.”
“With who?” she asks, her voice rising.
I huff. “I was with Lily. I took her on a date.”
“Is this your second date with her? Are we getting serious?”
I run my hand down my face. “I don’t know what we’re getting.”
We’re getting warmer, I guess. I wouldn’t say we’re getting serious. I don’t know. We’ve just been out twice.
“You don’t know?” she asks. “Aren’t you trying to win her back? Get back in her good graces? Do you want to marry her?”
“Whoa,” I say, leaning back in my seat. “You went from zero to a thousand.”
“Well, if you’re trying to get her back, what do you want her back for? What’s your end game? What are you actually doing with Lily now?”
“I don’t know.”
“Javonte.”
