Page 52 of Charmed By the Next-Door Neighbor
"So, we're really doing this," I say. "For real."
"For real."
"My parents are going to be difficult."
"I can handle it."
"The town's going to talk. Age gap, the reclusive firefighter finally dating someone, all of it."
"Don't care."
"I'm probably going to drive you crazy with my anxiety and my overthinking."
"Already crazy about you, remember?" He tilts my chin up. "You're stuck with me now, Claire."
"Good," I whisper. "Because I'm not going anywhere."
He kisses me, slow and deep and perfect, and I think about how I came to Blackwater Falls looking for myself.
I found so much more.
I found home. I found peace. I found Nash.
"I love you," I say against his lips.
He goes very still.
"Too soon?" I ask, suddenly nervous. "I know it's only been a few days of actually being together, but I've felt this way for a while and—"
"I love you too," he says quietly. "Have since the day you moved in."
"Really?"
"Really."
I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight. "We're kind of a disaster, aren't we?"
"Yeah. But we're our disaster."
"I like the sound of that."
"Me too."
We stay like that for a long time. Just holding each other. Eventually we'll have to face the world. My parents. The town gossip. All the complications that come with loving someone.
But for now, in this moment, in Nash's kitchen with the morning sun warming us, everything is perfect.
"Hey Nash?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For saying yes when I asked you to be my fake boyfriend."
He laughs, and the sound fills the kitchen and my heart. "Best decision I ever made."
