Page 57 of What I Like About You

“Yes, we are. About how we feel. We just didn’t discuss what that means and where it goes.”

“And how do you feel?”

Zara shifted uncomfortably, trying to avoid eye contact. Antwan would never judge her, at least not for this. But it still felt borderline crazy to admit out loud.

“I love him,” she whispered.

“Squueeeeeee!!!” Grabbing onto her arm, he shook her slightly, until she couldn't help but let that big, dopey smile return. “I knew it. I just wanted to hear you say it!”

“Is it bad that I never stopped loving him? Even after what he said? I mean, I was pissed and heartbroken, but deep down, I never got over him.”

“No, it’s not bad,” Antwan told her. “Because yes, he was a first-rate douche nugget in that moment, but deep down, you knew that wasn’t the real him. You two just needed to grow a little before you came back together. And the universe reunited you when you were ready.”

“I just don’t want to be that girl. You know, the one who the day after sex goes ‘so, when are we getting married?’”

“Well, if you’re both on the same page about the L word, then don’t you think he’s wondering the same thing?”

“Guys don’t think like that.”

“No, guys want you to think they don’t think like that. But they do. The good ones, at least.”

“So you think I should just ask him?” she asked, biting her bottom lip. Her heart skipped a beat thinking about asking him about the future. If he really wanted one with her.

“Yes! You two have been all sorts of deep-feelings-talkative these last couple of days, so why stop now?”

Antwan made a good point. She and Dalton had always shared everything with each other, and this week had been no exception. They’d opened up to each other about how hurt they’d both been this past decade and found a way to reconnect through it all. Why would loving each other be any different? Sure, it might be messy, but they could handle messy. Right?

“I guess.”

“You guess? Girl, if you’re gonna have to guess about this, I’m gonna need coffee. We can rehearse what you’re gonna say over magic muffins and caffeine.”

“Sure. Just let me put on some clothes,” she answered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed to stand. “I’ve been in nothing but this cover-up since yesterday.”

“Ummm, Zee, if your swimsuit is hanging on the rack, what do you have on underneath?” he asked, pointing to the suit she’d hung up moments ago.

Zara could feel the rush of heat hit her cheeks almost instantly. Shit, she’d been caught.

“Uhhhhh…”

“Oh, em, geee! You’re free flyin’ under there, aren’t you?!” he exclaimed, popping up from the bed.

“Maybe…”

“Look at Tripp Sutherland bringing out the wild child in you. The next time I see this boy, I might just have to kiss him!”

* * *

"I’d accuseyou of doing the walk of shame,” Kyle said as Dalton walked into the kitchen, “but you look prouder than a peacock right now, so I guess there’s no point in it.”

“There’s no shame in my game!” he told his best friend, as he slid into the seat next to him and reached for a magic muffin from the plate in the middle of the family table.

His best friend meant it as a joke, but there was truth to his words, because Dalton felt prouder than a peacock right about now. No, that wasn’t right. Pride was not what he was feeling. Elation, that’s what he was feeling. Last night changed everything. The world had been turned upside down, but in every good way possible.

Zara was here, and she was his.

Less than twelve hours ago they’d all still been sitting at this table, sipping on drinks and laughing. It was as if she’d always been a member of the group, rather than just some guest who had only shown up this week. Watching her laugh with the girls or compete with Kyle on who had seen Dalton do something dumb had been spectacular. He hadn’t even cared that he’d been the butt of half the jokes. If it meant hearing her laugh and seeing that smile take over her face, then he’d gladly be the punchline for the rest of his life.

“I really, really like her!” Drea said. “And watching you two together…Dalton, she’s special.”