My throat bobs, and there’s a sudden pressure behind my eyes. “It’s not.”
“I don’t care if you don’t say it back,” he reassures.
“I do.”
He pauses, tilting his head to the side. “You do… Care?”
“Love you. I do, love you.”
He smiles so wide that his eyes narrow and crease at the corners. And I’m petrified. We’ve been seeing each other for what, a week? I’ve had a little crushbeforebut it’s all so new. And terrifying.
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Why?”
“We started dating less than a week ago.”
“So?”
“How are we already talking about…”
“Love?” He continues for me when I hesitate. “I don’t want to waste the precious time that we have. IknowI love you, I don’t see the point in repressing it just because society deems it too soon.”
“But what if it doesn’t work out?”
“Then it won’t, and we’ll have good memories,” he pauses. “But it will. And I don’t really care about others’ opinions. Only yours. And you—”
“Love you too, as scared as it makes me.”
He kisses me again, more than just a peck this time, nestling againstme, his arms circling my waist. He tastes just like the honey tea he offered to pour me when we got back to the room, and I don’t think I can ever eat honey without thinking of him anymore.
“You remember how I told you I wanted to wait?” he rasps against my lips.
“Hmhm.”
“I think I changed my mind.”
I gasp but he captures my lips again, biting softly.
“You sure?” I manage to say between kisses. “What if we—”
“I’m sure,” he pulls his head back slightly, just enough to stare into my eyes. “If you’re willing to try, that is.”
“Yes.”
My hands slide to the back of his head, pulling him back against my lips, and he smiles.
“A hundred times yes.”
40
COMPOSE YOUR OWN PASTA
Jack: How was your night? And your whole day?
Prudence: A little teary.
Prudence: I’m okay now.
