Page 113 of Light Up My Life

Relief poured through my body. “Yeah?”

He nodded, finally some emotion apparent on his face. A softness. He reached forward with his free hand and pulled me toward him by the bottom of my coat. He was still a step below me, which made us nearly eye level. I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“You really wanted me to find all those mice,” he said. “Made sure I did it.”

I let out a breathy laugh. “Yes, they’re part of our origin story.”

“Are you going to kiss me already?” he asked.

“I was waiting for you to kiss me,” I said.

He tightened his arm around my waist and pressed his lips to mine.

I heard a loud whoop from the town square, but I didn’t pull away.

Chapter 40

Our bare hands were clasped together and tucked into his coat pocket as we walked. My glove, that he’d pulled off, was in his other pocket.

“Did you drive here?” I asked.

“No, the streets were already closed.”

“Then my car won’t do us any good either,” I said, nodding to where it was parked on the street.

“Aren’t we walking it?” He patted the back pocket of his jeans where he’d tucked the cards he collected from the mice. One sentence in those cards had asked him to walk with me tonight.

“We are,” I agreed.

“Good.”

“Did people add more decorations?” I asked as we came to the end of the first street. “For the final night of voting?”

“I don’t think so,” he said.

“The lights seem brighter tonight,” I said.

He squeezed my hand. “Maybe you’re just extra happy.”

I gasped. “Do you think that’s it? Is this how extra-happy people see the world all time?” I teased.

“For sure.”

“Are your parents…” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to put a damper on our spirits by finishing that question.

“My parents will be fine. I stood up to my dad for the first time ever. Told him I knew what I wanted and that I was confident in that.”

“What do you want?” I asked.

“You,” he said.

My face flushed. “Oh. Right.”

He laughed.

“And what did your dad say?”

“I think he might’ve been a little proud that I stood my ground.”