Page 72 of Finally Moore
Love,
Scott
Grinning from ear to ear, I retrieve my phone and quickly shoot off a text message.
Me: I can’t wait to see you too.
Me: After my family leaves, we need to talk.
Yesterday, I was on the fence. Especially since I hadn’t heard from him all day. But after last night and now this morning, I have a new outlook on everything. Kasey is right. We deserve to lay it out all on the line, without worrying about having an audience.
As I get dressed, I do so with ease. I don’t second-guess my outfit or if it fits me right, because I can hear Scott telling me how gorgeous I look. Even my makeup is a breeze as I choose to simply wash my face and toss my hair up. Dressed and ready to go, I make my way to the lobby and am shocked to find Hannah already at the desk.
“What are you doing here?” I ask her.
She eyes me from over the counter. “This is new. I like the natural beauty look.” I wait for her to explain her reason for being here, so she adds, “What? I knew your family was going home today and you might need some help.”
I cross my arms and tap my foot. “This doesn’t have anything to do with a handsome young plumber stopping by today?”
“It would be a shame if you were out when he got here.” The pink of her cheeks verifies my suspicions. Her presence here is anything but innocent, and I don’t care…
“You’re right,” I tell her with a nod.
“I’m right? I mean, of course I am. That’s me! Hannah the helpful.”
“Look, would you mind covering the rest of the day? Tell Sheila if she can’t be here tonight, she’s fired.”
“Whoa, what’s going on?” Hannah circles around the front desk to narrow her eyes at me.
“Scott,” I say with a smile. “I’m going to tell him.”
“Wait… What are you going to tell him, exactly?”
“That I think I love him—no, that Idolove him.”
“Babe, I’m not trying to rain on your parade, and it’s crazy to think I have to be the voice of reason here, but are you sure?”
“That’s the thing, Hannah. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my entire life.”
“I get that, but this is a little sudden. I mean, you’ve only been fooling around with the guy for a week.”
“And I’velovedevery second we spent together. The thought of it ending in just a few hours… it breaks my heart. I don’t want this to be over.”
Hannah bites her lip in concern. She’s my friend and I love her, but she just doesn’t understand.
“I know to the outside observer, this sounds rash, but when you’ve spent an entire relationship feeling like you were always holding your breath while trying to squeeze into a role that didn’t fit, only to then find someone who hugs you in all the right places… someone who, when you kiss them, the world falls away… when you go from loving someone to actually beingin lovewith someone, it’s like night and day. I don’t need any more time to tell me what I already know, and what I know is that I love Scott Moore.”
“Okay.” She smiles. “If you’re sure, then so am I.”
My heart races as I stop in front of Moore Books and Coffee. I’ve been here hundreds of times before but today is different—I’m different.We’redifferent.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door. As if he senses it’s me, Scott looks up from the drink he’s making and smiles. Everyone in the crowded room fades away, and it’s just the two of us.
“Can you finish this?” he asks the girl behind the counter before he walks around to greet me.
I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t him crashing his mouth onto mine, then dipping me backwards as we share a passionate kiss in front of half the town. Granted, I’m not complaining about it either. No, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. I tune out the excited whispers and savor this moment, becausethis is real.
“Hello,” he says as we break apart and he helps steady me on my feet.