Page 110 of Shine For Me

I freeze. “Oh my God, did you not watch the interview?”

“I watched it. You told her that you weren’t going to say it on television before you said it to me.” He raises his eyebrows. “So here I am.”

I put my hands on either side of his face and stare into his eyes. “I love you, Fox Ransome. I have for a really long time.” I swallow back tears. “I’m so sorry it took me so long to be brave enough to say it.”

“No,” he says. “You were always brave enough, June. You just needed a little time to realize that.”

Then he kisses me. It’s not a perfect movie-worthy kiss. I’m wearing ratty sweat pants and my feet are bare. Fox smells a little bit like vodka and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t shaved in several days. We’re both crying and sniffling.

But it’s still the best kiss I’ve ever had in my life.

It feels like a long time before the real world comes back into focus around us. That’s when I hear the whispering. “Do you think they’re going to stop any time soon?”

“It’s kind of gross, isn’t it? He looks like he’s eating her face. They definitely look better when they do this in one of their movies.”

“Do you think it would be rude to interrupt them and ask if I can use the bathroom?”

I pull away from Fox and look over his shoulder at the SUV a few feet away. “Um, Fox? Why are all of your siblings in my driveway?”

He looks over his shoulder and lets out a sigh when he sees four faces smiling at us from the open car windows. Violet waves. “I kind of forgot about them.”

“Did they drive you here?” I ask, trying to quell the overwhelming urge to giggle.

“I may have had a bit too much to drink earlier,” he says sheepishly. “I thought you were never going to call me back.”

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, but he puts a finger over my mouth.

“No more sorries. I love you. You love me. What the hell do either of us have to feel sorry for?”

I grin, joy like I’ve never known welling up in my chest. “You’re right.”

He lowers his head to kiss me again, but someone in the car clears their throat. “Um, June?” Violet stage-whispers. “Can I maybe use your bathroom?”

“Vi!” Ash hisses. “You’re ruining their moment.”

“I’m sorry! I have to pee!”

“Jesus,” Fox mutters against my mouth. “I knew bringing them was a mistake. Let me get rid of them so we can be alone.”

“I’m afraid that’s not in the cards for us tonight,” I tell him, the urge to giggle winning out this time. “My mom is inside.”

“I’m not, actually,” she calls out cheerily from the porch.

Fox closes his eyes. “Has she been watching this whole time?”

I can’t stop laughing now. God, I’m so happy. “I think so.”

“You may as well all come inside,” my mom calls. “I was just about to open a bottle of wine.”