I am. I am so freakin’ tired.
I can’t seem to speak right now; my voice betrays me.
He leans in closer, so close I can smell the vanilla on him.
“I want you, Lexie. All of you.”
My heart soars. I pull him back in for another searing kiss, pouring everything I feel into it—all the longing, the hurt, the hope.
Suddenly, the front door opens. “Hey, Alex, I forgot my—” Tara’s voice cuts off abruptly. “Oh, sweet baby Jesus!”
We break apart, both of us breathing heavily. Tara stands in the doorway, her eyes wide, a grin spreading across her face.
“Nope!” she declares, backing out with exaggerated movements. “I saw nothing. Carry on, lovebirds. Use protection! And maybe invest in a Do Not Disturb sign! We have to stop meeting like this!” The door slams shut behind her.
Freddie and I stare at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. The tension breaks, replaced by a giddy sort of joy.
“So,” I say once we’ve caught our breath, my fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, “you really want to do this? Us?”
Freddie’s eyes soften, his thumb tracing my bottom lip. “More than anything, Lex. I was an idiot before. I thought I needed to focus on my career, on making money. But none of that matters if I’m miserable. If I’m not with you.”
I feel tears prick my eyes. “What about EcoTech? The salary, the opportunity...”
He shakes his head, determination setting his jaw. “I’ll find something else. You were right; it wasn’t what I thought. I’ve looked into it, and there are companies out there that are trying hard, that are extracting things responsibly and actually making a difference. But EcoTech wasn’t.”
“But, Freddie, your family... I’m so sorry for being so judgmental. I didn’t realize how tough it’s been for you. I didn’t think—I was just so wrapped up in my own ideas.”
“It’s going to be alright. Meg got a scholarship, which takes a lot of pressure off. And God, I don’t want to be part of the problem, Lex. I want to be part of the solution—with you. Together.”
“Together,” I repeat, liking the sound of it. “I like that. But Freddie, are you sure? I don’t want you to regret this.”
“The only thing I regret is wasting so much time,” he says, his voice husky. “Lexie, I’mcrazyabout you. You’re the girl who yells at me about saving the planet while stealing my hoodies, who color-codes her notes but kisses like chaos. And, Alex, I don’t just want the wild nights or quiet mornings. I want it all. Every laugh with you, every debate, every time you look at me like I’m either the most annoying person you’ve ever met or your greatest adventure. Maybe both. Probably both.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. “I’ve missed you too. God, Freddie...”
Freddie’s fingers find my repaired pendant, tracing the silver leaf. “You know what I realized? You were right about EcoTech. About all of it. But you were wrong about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Change doesn’t always have to come from fighting the system. Sometimes it comes from two people who care enough to find a better way. Together.”
My hand covers his where it rests on the pendant. “For the hearts that burn for justice?”
“For the hearts that burn for justice,” he agrees.
“Let’s not fall out like that, Lexie. Never again,” he promises, leaning his forehead against mine. “From now on, it’s you and me against the world, okay? No more misunderstandings, no more pride getting in the way.”
I nod, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. “Okay. But you have to promise me something.”
“Anything,” he says without hesitation.
“Promise me we’ll always talk things through. Even when it’s hard.Especiallywhen it’s hard.”
Freddie smiles, that crooked grin that never fails to make my heart skip a beat.
“Oh, and especially when I’m being stubborn,” I add, and he smiles wider.
“I promise. No more running away from the tough conversations.”
