She shook her head again and squeezed her eyes shut even harder. "The most beautiful things in life aren't seen. They're felt by the heart."
Just like that, all my reservations were gone. I was never letting go of this girl. It was like I was blind my whole life and suddenly I could see. Hailey Shaw was it for me. Because she was right, and not just about this moment but about us. This was more than just physical attraction or a crazy summer fling. She healed my heart. She healed my soul. She had touched my life in such a meaningful way. She saved me.
"I love you." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I even realized what I was saying.
Her eyes flew open.
It was too fast. It was too crazy. So why the hell did I not regret saying it?
She pressed her lips together as she looked up at me. It looked like she was about to cry.
"It's okay if you don't feel the same way. It doesn't change how I feel. And I wanted you to know." I meant it, but I could feel myself closing off.
"No, Tyler, that's not it. I just..." her voice trailed off.
She doesn't love me back. Of course she doesn't. What the hell is wrong with me?It was just like it was with Penny. I wasn't enough. Why the hell would Hailey want me? I was going to be gone for three years. If there was one thing I had learned from Penny, it was to not be so transparent and optimistic about something I couldn't control. I was repeating my mistakes. That was something I couldn't afford to do. It felt like I couldn't breathe. I was such an idiot.
"I'm sorry, Tyler, but I'm scared to say it. I'm so scared of losing you."
I swallowed hard.
"A few hours ago I didn't think you wanted me back. But now that you do, it's suddenly hit me how dangerous what you're about to do is. And I'm terrified. I'm so worried that I'm never going to see you again."
"Nothing's going to happen to me." She had given me something to live for, something to fight for. I wasn't giving up anymore. I tightened my grip around her waist. "I'm going to do whatever it takes to come back to you."
She nodded.
"And it's okay if you're not ready to say it back. I don't want to pressure you into saying something you don't mean."
"I fell in love with you in Kansas, Tyler."
Kansas.I smiled. "Singing karaoke to our song?"
"And when you didn't kiss me back. I was a little surprised by how much it hurt. That's kind of when I realized it was more than just a little crush."
"I never meant to hurt you." I slid my hand to the back of her neck. "Hailey, I promise I'll never hurt you again. We can make this work. I know we can."
A smile spread across her face. "I'm pretty sure this is where you're supposed to kiss me."
She didn't have to tell me twice. My lips crashed down on hers and I kissed her like I'd never get a chance to kiss her again. Everything about her was sweet. I was addicted to her taste. And suddenly I needed more than this. This was the last night we had together for I didn't even know how long. My hand slid into the back pocket of her jean shorts and she moaned into my mouth. I leaned into her. I wanted her to know how badly I wanted her all the time. How I could barely think straight when we were together.
If it wasn't for the Ferris wheel technician clearing his throat, I'm pretty sure I would have gone down on her in the middle of the ride.
She pushed my shoulder so I'd stop kissing her neck. Her cheeks were rosy when I pulled away.
I slowly slid my hand out of her pocket. I tried to hide my smile as I grabbed her hand and helped her out of the cart. "Sorry," I said to the technician as I tried to discretely shift my pants so that everyone on the boardwalk wouldn't see how hard I was. Not that I really cared.
"Can we maybe go somewhere that we can be alone?" she said breathlessly.
"It's still early," I teased. "Are you sure you don't want to do anything else first?"
"Actually," she said as she pulled me in the opposite direction of a hotel with a glowing vacancy sign. "Now that you mention it, I saw some people dancing earlier. That could be fun."
"I was kind of joking, Hails. I think being alone sounds perfect."
She briefly glanced down at the front of my shorts. "I'm pretty sure you're going to enjoy dancing too."
"It depends on the dancing." Fuck, I just wanted to be inside of her.
