Page 36 of Matchmaking and Mixtapes

“Sorry,I had to see your reaction.” He catches my hand and holds itagainst his chest. “I’m not gonna lie, I hope living together couldbe part of our not-too-distant future, but I think there should bea few other steps first. For now, I’ll be staying in the basementapartment at my parents’ place—the one Stella gave up in favor ofliving with you, which I can’t blame her for—while I get settled inat my new job.”

“Wow,”I say again. I’m struggling to process all of this. The multipleglasses of prosecco I’ve had throughout the night aren’t helpingany.

“If youneed time to think about this, that’s okay,” Wesley says quickly.“I know I just dumped a ton of information on you and it must be ashock. I just want you to know I care deeply about you and I’ll behere if and when you’re ready. And also, I’d really like to kissyou again.”

“I’dlike that too.” I take a step closer to him. My lips have almostreached his when I come to an abrupt stop. “We both said part ofour hesitation all these years was because we were afraid ofruining our friendship. Are you still worried aboutthat?”

“Honestly? No. You’re my best friend, Evie. You know me betterthan anyone else, and I think I can confidently say the same abouthow well I know you.”

“Don’tever let the girls hear you say that, but…yeah, it’s probablytrue.”

He chuckles. “I’mnot saying it’ll always be easy. That’s not how life works. I’mwilling to give it my all if you are, though. We have a lifetime ofshared history, but we can still make each other laugh. Stillsurprise each other. I think tonight proved that.”

I let out a loud‘ha!’ that makes Wesley laugh. “You can still surprise me, allright. Between everything you just told me and that kissearlier…”

“Yeah,about that kiss…” Wesley is still holding my hand against hischest. His heart hammers beneath my fingers. My own erratic pulseis causing the blood to whoosh in my ears again and flutter at mypulse points.

“Justone more question,” I whisper. Wesley groans, but tilts his head ina ‘go ahead’ gesture. “Why the ‘BFFs’ playlist on Thanksgiving? Ithought something was happening between us and then you sent methat and it confused the hell out of me.”

“Ahh, Ican see how that would come across as a mixed signal,” he says.“Like I said, youaremy best friend. But after hearing you talk about the girls andseeing how close you all still are, it inspired me.” When I simplynod in understanding, he grips my hip with his free hand and tugsme closer. “Is that it? Can I kiss you now?”

Instead ofanswering, I free my hand from his grip so I can loop my armsaround his shoulders and pull his mouth down to mine. When I grazehis neck with my fingers before threading them into his hair, hemakes a low growling sound that reverberates through me.

Afterseveral minutes and, with a great deal of effort, I pull my lipsaway from Wesley’s. “We should rejoin the party before someonecomes looking for us.” My voice shakes as I struggle to catch mybreath. “Just one thing first: what if I told you I didn’t needtime to figure things out? That all I want for my birthday—all I’veevertrulywanted—is you?”

The quick flash ofWesley’s smile makes me breathless all over again. It’s all theanswer I need, but I’m relieved when he says, “I’d tell you I’vealways been yours, you just didn’t know it.”

Gleeful laughterspills out of me as I pepper Wesley’s face with kisses. “Okay.We’re doing this then. I just need one thing from you.”

“Anything, Buttercup.”

Ireally do love it when he calls me that. I hope he never stops.“Don’t tell my mother yet. Let me savor having you to myself for awhile. I want to bask in the glow of usfinallybeing together before dealingwith her gloating.”

Wesley presses hissmiling lips against mine. “As you wish.”

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