Page 88 of Less

“You're here.”

She smiles softly.

“Yes. I’m here.”

“I love you,” I whisper before I can stop myself.

Silence.

My heart stops.

Because I hadn't planned on saying it.

Not yet.

Not like this.

But it's out there now.

Too late to take back.

Then Amanda's eyes fill with tears.

“Oh, Less.”

And suddenly she's rolling on top of me and kissing me so damn hard.

When she raises her head, I moan at the loss. Then I look at her and she’s smiling through tears.

Her cheeks are flush. She’s all peaches and cream and so damn pretty it breaks my heart.

And I can’t believe that somehow, after all these years, she still blushes.

Still gets shy.

Still has no idea how beautiful she is.

“Less?”

“Yeah, Sweetheart?” I whisper, afraid I’ve broken this somehow.

But then she opens her sweet mouth.

“I love you, too.”

The words hit me like a freight train.

Not because I don't believe her.

I do.

In that deepest, most secret part of my soul, I know this woman loves me—was made to love me—just like I was made to love her.

But hearing it?

After three years apart?

After almost losing her today?