Laughing, I promised, “Your secret is safe with me.”
“I act all brave and shit, but, um…I’m scared to death of us.”
“Why?”
“You are so good, patient, and sweet. And you accept me—all of my jaded and petty and dramatic ways. You’ve never tried to change me or make me feel wrong for being who I am. You see me, everything that’s ugly and stubborn and not fun—and you still want me. You challenge me, you push me. You make me feel safe.”
In my wildest dreams, I’d never expected Blake to be so raw, so open with me. I loved this side of her. I loved that she felt safe enough to say these things. I loved that she’d flown home to see me. I loved that she’d apologized.I loveher.
“You’re like a dryer sheet.”
I frowned. “What?”
“You know how clothes are wrinkled and static-y and stiff before you put them in the dryer?”
“Right,” I said.
“Dryer sheets make everything soft and smooth. That’s you. That’s what you do for me.”
“O…kay.”
“I love you.”
I lifted my eyes, locked my gaze on her. “You do?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I do. I love you so much, so big that it scares me.”
“I’d never hurt you.”
“You could. Becausemyheart…it’syourheart.”
I squeezed her hand and tugged her forward. Holding her hand to my heart, I said, “And my heart is your heart.”
Blake closed her eyes. “It is?”
“Yes, Blake. I love you too. I love everything about you. I want nights with you, mornings next to you, meals together, vacations… I want everything. All of it, all of you.” She bent down, resting her forehead against mine. “I want to take this leap with you. And I want you to jump with me and know everything isn’t going to be perfect.”
Caressing my face with her palms, she kissed me. “It feels perfect to me.”
Wrapping my arm around her, I pulled her into a kiss again. I circled her nose with mine. “It does, doesn’t it? You in?”
“All in, Lennox.”
“No more trips without notice.”
“I promise.” She climbed into bed with me. When I winced, she hopped out of the bed. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“No. Come here.”
She bit down on her lip. “You’re lying.”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Blake, get your ass in this bed.” She tried again, this time slower. I pulled her closer. “This is better.” She rested her hand on my heart again. It felt good to hold her, to know she was mine.
“Lennox?”
