Page 165 of Come Back to Me
“What’s cooking, good looking?”
“Promise me you will never say that to me again.”
“Why?”
“I think I cringed a little bit.”
My mouth drops open. “You’re so mean.”
“Aw, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. It’s not fair. I can’t stay mad at you for that long because you have cute privilege.”
“I’d be worried if you were mad at me for a long period of time.”
“You never have to worry about that.” I glance at my phone, and the clock reads 11:59 p.m.
“Good.”
I study the freckles on her face and how her blue eyes sparkle. “I always knew you’d come back to me, Violet Prescott.”
Shouts comefrom the apartment, and I hear Noah and Dani counting down.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
My lips claim hers in a matter of seconds, a kiss that leaves us both breathless in the end.
“Happy New Year!” they scream in unison, blowing their noisemakers and disappearing from the window.
“Happy New Year, Violet.”
“Happy New Year, Grayson.”
At this moment, I know we’re locked in for the rest of our lives because I cannot survive without her by my side. I met Violet Prescott when I was twelve years old, and I fell in love with her when I was fifteen.
We went through a lot together, and I wouldn’t take any of it for granted because it made us stronger as a unit and individually.
We watch the fireworks light up the sky with all the colors of the rainbow. The loud booms rattle my ears with the kind of noise that provides joy.
She places her head in the nape of my neck. “I love you, Gray.”
I wrap my arm around her. “I love you more, Vi.”
epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
Hearing the front door to our apartment open, I see Grayson walk through with his suitcase and a duffel bag. “Honey, I’m home.”
He’s wearing a white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and white sneakers. His hair is a mess.
