Page 22 of The Lucky One
“That’s not what I meant!” I grabbed his hand and looked him deep in the eyes. “What I’m trying to say is: I choose you. I want to be with you. But—”
“But my best friend, who you’re living with, still has a place in your heart? What a great foundation for our relationship.”
Jon’s frustration fed mine. I let go of his hand. “What about Kiki? You can’t tell me you lost all your feelings for her just like that?”
With a shake of his head, he said, “I care about her, yeah. But I have no romantic feelings for her whatsoever. I lost them all the moment I fell for you.”
“Oh...”
My mouth opened, and guilt spread through my chest. Why did everyone have such control over their emotions except for me? Why was it so easy for other people to get closure and move on? What if that happened to Jon with me? What if, as soon as I went back to Germany, he met a new girl and erased all his feelings for me?
Jon sighed. “Let’s sleep on this and talk tomorrow. Gena must be waiting.”
“Fine.” I grabbed my bag and opened the car door. We hadn’t even lasted one day before our first fight.
As I was about to leave, he pulled me to him and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Never leave without a goodbye kiss, okay?” He smiled, our noses still touching.
I smiled too. “Is that a rule for our relationship?”
“One of many to come if that’s what you want,” he agreed, kissing my nose.
And this feeling—being kind to each other even in the middle of a fight—it was a rush, impossible to define. I was alive with hope that we could make this work.
I got out of the car and watched until it was out of sight. Then I looked up at the stars and made a wish.
Our rule number #1: No goodbyes without a kiss... forever.
German Candy
Emily
Normally I’d wake up without an alarm, but today it was almost noon when my eyes fluttered open. I stretched and yawned, feeling more rested than I had in weeks. I reached for my phone to find a message from Jon. I let out a chuckle when I realized I still had him saved as Arschloch—asshole in German.
Arschloch: Morning, Little German. Can’t wait to see you later
I grinned, cuddled up in the warmth of my bed, and texted him back. If only he was here with me now...
A bit later, I shuffled to the living room in my comfy blue daisy-print pajamas. The soft noon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a yellow glow over the coffee table and parquet floor. Henry and Gena chatted on the couch, their smiles as welcoming as the warmth that enveloped the room. The air carried a faint scent of fresh coffee, adding a last piece of perfection to the morning. I couldn’t help but wish it could be like this forever. “Morning!” I waved, and they leaped up.
“Finally, you’re awake!” they exclaimed in unison. Gena said to Henry, “I’ll get her a coffee; you explain.”
Shaking my head, I asked, “What’s going on?”
Henry motioned to a huge box from the table, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “A package from your mom arrived. Is this what I think it is?”
Just when I thought the morning couldn’t get any better... “I think it is!”
I sat down on the couch with the box. Gena returned with scissors and a giant mug of coffee, the one with all the kittens on. I took a long sip to clear the morning fog from my brain. Black, no sugar, extra strong, exactly how I liked it.
It was in the little things Paul’s parents did: remembering my likes and dislikes, not complaining if I slept in or didn’t get an A on a test, laughing together... I loved my mother to death, but her taste in men never allowed me to experience this kind of easygoing atmosphere at home.
“Let’s do this then!” I made a careful cut with the scissors and opened the box. A familiar sweet scent wafted up, and I buried my nose in it.
Henry chuckled. “What are you doing?”
“It smells like German candy!” I gushed. Henry and Gena imitated me, making impressed faces.
“Sugary?” Gena guessed, and we all laughed. They couldn’t get it—how different German candy tasted compared to American candy. Even the same brand of chocolate bar had an entirely different flavor.