Page 27 of Stolen Moments

“About everything. Choosing the safe path. About letting my mother’s expectations control my life. About walking away from you when you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Priya—”

“Let me finish. Please.” I step closer. “I went home for spring break. I played the perfect daughter and I was miserable. Because none of it matters if I’m not living my own life. If I’m not with you.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I love you. I’m saying I choose you. I’m saying I’m done hiding and pretending and letting fear control my decisions.”

“What about medical school? Your parents?”

“I’m deferring my applications. Taking a year off. Maybe traveling. Maybe just figuring out who I am when I’m not trying to be perfect.”

“And your parents?”

“My mother was furious. Said if I defer Hopkins, she’s cutting me off financially. So I’m cut off.”

“Priya, you don’t have to⁠—”

“I do. I have to choose myself. Choose you. Choose a life that’s actually mine.” Tears are streaming down my face. “I’m terrified. I have no idea what I’m doing. But I know I want to do it with you.”

Jackson crosses to me, cupping my face in his hands. “You’re sure? Because I can’t do this back and forth. I can’t be with you if you’re going to run every time things get hard.”

“I’m not running. Not anymore. I’m staying. Fighting. Choosing us.”

“Good.” He kisses me, and it’s different from before. Deeper. More certain. Like we’re both finally admitting this is real and we’re all in.

“I love you,” I whisper against his lips.

“I love you too. So fucking much.”

We stand there in his studio, holding each other, both knowing this won’t be easy but willing to try anyway.

“So what now?” I ask.

“Now we figure it out together. No more hiding.”

“My TA position⁠—”

“We’ll report the relationship to the dean. Accept whatever consequences come. But we do it together.”

“Okay. Together.”

He pulls back to look at me, a smile spreading across his face. “You really deferred Hopkins?”

“I really did.”

“That’s the bravest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Or the stupidest.”

“No. Brave. Definitely brave.” He laughs with me, the sound low and warm, vibrating through his chest where it’s still pressed against mine. His hands slide down my back, settling possessively at my waist as he leans in again, kissing me slower this time, deeper. There’s no hesitation, just the easy heat of two people who already know exactly how to set each other on fire.

“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted this,” he murmurs against my lips. “Wanted you.”

I smile into the kiss, my fingers threading through his hair. “Then stop talking and take me to bed.”

He doesn’t need to be told twice. In one smooth motion he lifts me, my legs wrapping around his hips like they belong there. He carries me to the bedroom, kicking the door shut behind us. The moment my back hits the mattress, his mouth is on mine again, hungry and sure.