“Elli, don’t cry!”“I’m sorry,” she said, sniffing as she tried to stop crying, “You’re like a dream, Shea, no one does that anymore.”“Sure they do, come here.” She went into his arms willingly, rubbing her nose against his shirt, taking in his heavenly scent. “I meant every word, Elli. You’re amazing.”How in the world did she get so lucky?And why couldn’t she believe him?”

“You have two emotions—apathy and rage—and nothing in between.” Ellie wanted him to stop, but she could hear the truth in his words. She closed her eyes for his killing blow. “It’s like you’re not even a person. You’re an…organism.” “That’s not true.” Ellie forced her eyes open. “I am a person. I’m just not good at it.”

“Elli couldn’t help it, she had to. She smiled before saying, “Nothing much, but Shea?”“Yeah?” he asked wearily as she smirked up at him.“I’ll never break your heart. I’ll never make you cry,” she continued to sing the chorus of the well known Backstreet Boys song as Shea turned beet red with embarrassment.“Grace, I swear I’m going to kill you!” Shea yelled.”

“I’m his girlfriend?” It was meant to be a question to myself, but Taylor couldn’t let it go unanswered.“You’re the first,” she said, looking at me like I was a puzzle. “You lucky bitch.”

“As she relaxed against his chest, he pulled her in closer. Turning her face into his shirt, she breathed in the calming scent that was him. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled into the fabric.One big hand stroked over her head, down her long ponytail to rub her back in soothing circles. “No, I’m sorry. You’ve told me before it made you uncomfortable and I pushed. That was an asshole move. You’re entitled to your feelings and I shouldn’t fight against them. I’m sorry.” He dropped a kiss on her temple.And with that little apology, she stepped off the cliff of denial and fell headfirst into love with Brett Wallace.”

“Well, you’re just going to have to take a leap of faith,” he said.“I think I can do that,” she said. “If you’re there to catch me.”“I’m here,” he said. “I haven’t let you down yet, have I?”She put her hand against his face. “No, Jack. You sure haven’t.”