Page 133 of River & Rue

“Damn. That’s intense.”

Rue looks at me with tears in her eyes. I stop immediately.

“Hey. What’s wrong?”

“She was right, and I… I need you to know that what you did for me last night, what you’ve been doing… how you supported me while I finished my book, and who you are, and everything you—” She shakes her head, a few tears escaping to trickle down her cheeks. “Shit. This is hard.”

Cupping the back of her head, I gently draw her into a hug. “I’m grateful for you too, and I’m so glad you felt safe enough to share Teddy with me last night.”

“I wasn’t done.”

Trapping my smile in my teeth, I relax my hold. She looks up, a determined glint in her glistening eyes.

“I have feelings for you, River. Big, annoying ones. From everything you’ve said, I’m pretty sure you feel something for me too. But if you could tell me in really simple, non-book boyfriend terms, I’d appreciate it, because I’m going to call Ivy today, and I—” She closes her eyes. “Before I risk our friendship, I need to know if you—mmf.”

I kiss her.

I kiss her with everything in my heart.

And then I hold her beautiful, worried face in my hands, stare into her teary eyes, and tell her what I feel in the simplest terms I know.

“I’m in love with you, Rue. I love every single thing that makes you you. I love that your ugly orange sneakers make you happy and that you change your sock color based on vibes. I love your inability to walk through a doorway without bumping into it. I love your laugh and how the freckles on your nose look when you scrunch it like you’re doing right now. I love that when you write, you make the most disturbing facial expressions I’ve ever seen. I love that you sing loudly even though you can’t carry a tune to save your life.”

She whacks my ribs; I grin because she’s crying and laughing at the same time.

“I love that your love language is violence and sour gummies. I love your weird fixation with my teeth and that you stammer when I wear glasses. I love how you look at me and how you touch me. I love all your smiles—crazy, sweet, angry, fake—but my favorite smile is the one on your face after I make you come. I love that you’re a magnet for wild animals and lost treasures. The magic never left because it’s you. You’re the magic, Rue, and you always have been.

“I love your imagination, your intelligence, your deranged sense of humor, and the vulnerability you only let those closest to you see. I love the way you mutter to yourself constantly, and I love it even more now that I know you’re talking to Teddy.”

I stroke her wet cheeks, kiss her closed eyelids, then wrap my arms around her.

“I love you, Rue. I see you. You’re everything I want and never thought I’d find. I don’t deserve you, but if you give me a chance, I’ll spend however long you’ll have me trying to be the best partner I can possibly be.”

She mumbles something.

“What’s that, love?”

Indigo eyes meet mine.

“I asked if you’d write all that down so I can read it whenever I’m mad at you.”

I laugh, and she smiles my second favorite smile. The one that means magic.

And I know… I feel it coming.

“I love you too, River. You’re my home. My anchor. My peace. I see you, I choose you—now and always.”

Clear skies.

Clear.

Skies.

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