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I inhale sharply, panic rising in my chest. “What is it?”
“I need you to know that I am not leaving you.” He looks me straight in the eye. “I know it feels like it because I’m leaving Cottondale. But under no circumstances do I want this to end.”
“I know, but what if, I don’t know, in a few months you meet someone else––”
“No.” He takes my hand. “This wasn’t just some summer fling for me, love. This”––he gestures between the two of us––“is everything to me, okay? And unless you don’t want me anymore, you’re unfortunately stuck with me.”
“I want you.”
“And I want you. You’re mine, Robin, and I’m greedy. I don’t give up what’s mine.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I wasn’t kidding when I said you remind me of sunshine. You make everything in my life feel brighter.”
“I still think you got that wrong,” I say. “I’m too moody to be like sunshine.”
He shakes his head. “You’re not moody. But I didn’t mean that you’re always happy-go-lucky. It’s how I feel around you. You’re sunshine because of how you make me feel. Warm and happy.”
“That’s really cheesy,” I choke out, laughing. I can’t help it. I either make a joke or I start crying again.
“Someone once told me that I’m cute sometimes.” He winks at me.
“The cutest.”
“Not as cute as you. Or Mortimer.” He squeezes my hand. “I love that cat.”
And I love you.
“I think the feeling is mutual. I’ll send you a million cat pics.”
“Please do. And just a heads-up, I’ll be texting you a lot. You might even have to mute the chat.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time. But yes, you better.”
He leans in and captures my lips with his. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he pulls me closer. We’ve kissed a million times, but this time it’s different. This kiss holds so many unspoken promises.
When we separate, he rests his forehead against mine.
“Hayden?”
“Yeah?”
“You make me feel … at home. You feel like home.”
“Look who’s cheesy now.” He laughs as I shove him away. “I’m joking. I feel the same about you.” He pulls me closer again. “I have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“Close your eyes.”
I shut them tightly and wait patiently. I hear a few footsteps and then the sound of a zipper.
“Hold out your hands.”
“It’s not your dick, is it?” I tentatively hold out my hands.
“Get your mind out of the gutter. Although that would’ve been hilarious.”
I feel something small and light drop into my hand. I open my eyes and laugh.
It’s an orange.
