Page 80 of All Your Tomorrows

“You still can,” I said. “Don’t they have games on Christmas?”

He nodded. “I could do that.”

I smiled as my eyes drifted around the room. “So, this is where the magic happened.”

He tossed back his head and laughed. “Were you hoping to get a little action?”

I shrugged. “What was your signature move?”

“I told you,” he said, pushing off the pool table and stalking toward me. “I lit candles and played music.”

I slipped my phone from my dress pocket and turned on “Here With Me,” the song we’d danced to at the beach. “I just so happen to have the music.”

He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. I giggled as I draped my arms over his shoulders and let him dance us across the basement floor. His green gaze stayed focused on mine, and I would’ve given anything to know what he was thinking.

“Tuning a tragedy into a comedy,” I said.

He nuzzled his nose to mine. “Instead of a comedy could we say a happily ever after?”

I stifled the smile that itched to burst free. “I kind of like that.”

“I kind of likeyou,” he countered.

I cocked my head. “Kind of?”

He leaned forward and captured my lips. He didn’t need to answer that. He was showing me. And, I preferred him showing me any day.

When he eventually pulled away, I rested my head against his shoulder and let him guide me around the space. “Please wake up,” I whispered.

“I would if I could.”

“Your parents would be so happy to be able to hear your voice and see your smile.”

“Just my parents?” he asked.

“I can already hear and see you,” I said.

“Is that enough?”

I pulled back so I could meet his eyes. “What?”

“Don’t you want to be able to go places with me without people thinking you’re speaking to yourself?”

“I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

“Don’t you want to introduce me to your mom and friends?” he asked.

I said nothing, knowing that could eventually become problematic, but why was he doing this right now?

“I’m falling for you, Nora.”

I stilled, my wide eyes locked on his. I’d wanted him to want to be with me. But, now that he put it out in the universe, I was scared that he’d somehow up and disappear.

“I want to give you the world,” he continued, “but I know I can’t unless I wake up.”

“Then wake up,” I said again.

He tried to move his mouth into a smile but couldn’t manage one. “I don’t know how to.”