NICO READS the first few pages of my draft. The entire time, my mind spins and falls like an acrobat performing a show without a net.
I can practically hear my heart rushing against my eardrums.
The conversation downstairs couldn’t have gone better. I know there’s a long road ahead for me and Nico, but the possibility of him moving to New York and us getting a real shot together is everything I could’ve asked for.
“This is incredible.” He smiles at me after a long while, eyes glistening and warm. My favorite eyes. My favorite person. “It’s about me, isn’t it?”
“Shut up. Of course it is, Nico. I think they’ll all be about you.” I give him a playful nudge. “Read the dedication.”
“‘To the man who made me understand I deserve to take a risk on my own happily ever after.’” Nico looks up at me. “Lil—”
“Wait.” I pull the unfinished manuscript out of his hands, then wrap my fingers in his. “I have one more thing I want to say.” He tilts his head, urging me to go on. “I love you for always making me laugh, even in the most inappropriate times. I love you for talking my ear off with silly jokes and ideas. I love the way you ask all the hard-hitting questions, even when I don’t want to hear them. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone, and I want your liabilities.”
“I want yours too, love.” He kisses my forehead, and I lean into the magnetic feeling of his lips on my skin.
“So, Nico Navarro.” I lower my knees in front of him, holding his hand as tightly as I can with my sweaty palms.
“What are you doing?” He chuckles and tries to follow me onto the floor, but I force him upward until he’s standing over me again.
“Will you”—I dig for the ancient DVD case I tucked under my bed last and present it to him—“hold my hand while watching this with me?”
“A scary movie?” Nico drops beside me. “That’s some girlfriend-and- boyfriend level of commitment.”
I shrug. “I think if you got me, then I got you.”
“I got you, Lily.” The words Nico taught me to no longer fear. “Now, can you say that one more time? I think I had something in my ears.” He grins his signature Nico grin at me.
I land a soft punch against his arm, and he kisses me until my head is spinning on my shoulders. “I fucking love you, Nico Navarro.”
“I fucking love you too.”
