Page 61 of Yours, For Good

He said I called him in. Butterflies tickled my diaphragm.

I pushed away the realization my throat had tightened again. I'd waited so long to feel like this. If I looked at that too much, I might let go and cry.

Easier to give him a few words back.

I pinched a bit of flesh between my fingers. "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me."

I must not have been successful at keeping emotion at bay. The affection in his eyes deepened.

My step forward was automatic— he brought me in at the same time. His arms went around me like that afternoon in Connecticut, several weeks before. I rested my head on his chest, and melted into his hug.

More cozy winter sun shining down on me.

"No, I really mean it," I insisted. His cologne enveloped me and I drew it into me. "You don't know how much it means to me that you're my friend. That you never ask for more than I can give about my past. That you want to know me for who I am today, and not where I come from."

I closed my eyes and let him be my cocoon. He didn't respond right away but, when he did, his voice rumbled against my ear.

"I'm trying." He paused. "I've made mistakes but I'd like to avoid making more."

"Those are high standards to have of yourself."

"With you, I don't think they're high enough."

I lifted my face to look at him. "That makes me feel very special."

"Good. You're special to me."

The dams I'd built inside faded away, leaving an open landscape where to build a little home of hope. It softened my muscles, and I leaned onto him a little more.

I smiled. "Stop saying such pretty things, or I'm going to forget you can be cynical and I'm lonely. You should tease me more."

If I forgot who we were and why we were friends, I might get confused.

He frowned. "I don't want to tease you. I mean it, too."

My heart skipped a beat, and caught up at twice the normal pace. My vocal cords wanted to sing, and my chest opened, and the wallpaper had to have gold threads in them, because they glittered.

What if?

Confusion lurked around the corner… and I peeked.

"Can best friends be lovers?"

I didn't know the words had formed in my mind until I heard them coming out of my lips. Somehow, I forgot to panic. All I could do was gaze into Javier's warm blue irises, and let my question rattle in the space between us.

"Nora…"

We were so close I could see his pupils dilate. I pressed my palms against his chest— I had been right, his clothes were soft.

What if…

Words seemed to escape him. His mouth… it remained slightly parted. I'd wager his lips were soft, too…

What if I kissed him?

Chapter 23

Javier