Page 309 of Tell Me I'm Enough

“You…are?”

He nods.

“How is that going?” I ask, cautiously.

“It’s going really well. I haven’t touched anything in over two months. And I know it’s not the longest I’ve gone, but…it’s the longest I’ve gone without every day being a battle I felt like I couldn’t win, just waiting for the day I failed.”

This warmth fills me, so happy for the boy who has always deserved to feel at peace in his own head.

“That’s amazing, Mason.”

“Thank you. But…” He rubs the back of his neck like he’s trying to get the courage to say more. “I didn’t come here to just catch up and tell you how I was trying to fix the shit show my life is.” I watch him watching me like he’s trying to find the best way to say whatever it is he needs to say. “I came because I needed to look you in the face when I told you the truth.”

My heart stutters.

For a moment, I’m scared, like he’s about to admit something to me that will break my heart completely. But then he smiles. It’s small, but it feels safe. Not like he’s about to hurt me.

“Simone Nova Edwards,” he starts.

I slap a hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh at myself.

“Are you about to propose to me?” I ask dramatically.

“No.” He shakes his head, trying not to laugh himself before continuing. “I’m trying to tell you that I love you.”

My mouth drops.

All I can do is stare at him. “What did you just say?”

“I said, I’m so in love with you, Simone, that I can’t think straight anymore. Every thought is consumed by you. Everything I thought I wanted in life has shifted to just you.”

I don’t know what to say. I’m actually speechless, just sitting there staring at him, shocked.

Simone! Get it together.

“I—I love you too,” I blurt out.

He smiles. It’s the most genuine and sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. “You do?”

I nod.

Then I let reality sink back in.

“Loving you scares me, though.”

He reaches out to take my hand, and I let him, craving the contact.

“Why?”

“Because…I’m scared of the future. I’m scared of being hurt. I’m scared of you not loving yourself enough to know how to love me in a way that doesn’t drown the both of us. I’m scared…that I won’t ever be the only one you choose.”

He jerks back at that. “You will always be theonly one, Simone.”

I shake my head, not believing that. “It’s so hard to trust anyone. Someone like you has as many options at his fingertips as he could dream up.”

“I’m only dreaming about you.”

“Until someone better comes along.”