73. Cohen

My heart had never beat faster than it was right now.

Birdie stared down at me, her hands covering her mouth. I wished I was closer, that I could see what she was thinking behind her pretty blue eyes.

Her hand gripped the rail as she walked down the stairs on her high silver heels. Her dress was bright too, the sequins reflecting the sun. She looked every bit herself and more. I wanted to take her into my arms. To kiss her. To tell her I'd never seen her look more beautiful.

But soon the space between us was gone, and she stood only feet before me. "Cohen," she breathed, "what are you doing here?"

I lowered the sign, resting it on the ground. "I know you got your job back, but that wasn't the only thing I was upset about."

Her lips quirked as her eyes flickered from the sign to me. "Cohen..."

"Wait," I said. I needed to tell her how I felt. How much she meant to me. But I also needed to tell her how sorry I was. "I was upset when you walked away, but I understand why you did it. I put you in an unfair position, dating me in secret, and I want you to know how sorry I am for not respecting your wishes."

She shook her head, eyes shining. "Cohen, I wanted to date you too. Rules or not, you are exactly the kind of man I wanted to be with."

My heart soared and then sank. "Wanted?" I asked, studying her face. I wanted to remember every single thing about her. The dimple on her chin. The flush along her cheekbones. The curls that fluttered in the soft breeze. This could be the last time we spoke. The last time I saw her as more than Ollie's guidance counselor.

She blinked, sending tears down her cheeks. "Cohen, how could you ever forgive me for leaving you like that? We had such a good thing going, and I ruined it."

"Birdie..." I cupped her cheeks in my hands, wiping away the tears with my thumbs. "You didn't ruin anything."

"What does that mean?" she asked.

"It means if you'll have me, I'm yours."

I'd barely finished the word before she closed the distance and pressed her full lips to mine. It was everything I'd been too afraid to hope for. Everything I wanted. Everything I needed. I slipped my arms around her waist, holding her close.

She tilted her head, kissing me with everything she had.

I got lost in the moment, letting myself savor what it felt like when dreams came true. I smiled against her lips, realizing I still needed my answer, to hear her say it out loud. "Birdie," I breathed.

"Yes?" She pulled back, giving me a perfect view of her beautiful eyes.

"Is that a yes to my question?" I asked.

She glanced at my sign and stepped back, biting her bottom lip. "No, I can't."

Blood rushed through my ears, the ground swayed beneath me, stronger than any California earthquake.

She stepped forward, taking my hands in hers, but I couldn't meet her eyes.

"I can't not-date you, Cohen," she said.

"Why?" I asked, forcing myself to look at her, even if it meant breaking my heart. "The rules are different, I—"

She held a finger to my lips. "I can't not-date you, because love doesn't live in the shadows." She moved her hand to my cheek. "I love you, Cohen Bardot. And it would be an honor to be with you."

My smile was so wide, and I couldn't stop myself from picking her up and spinning her. From dancing with the love of my life. "I love you, Birdie Melrose."

I kissed her long and hard until the air felt hot and I wanted nothing more than to take her home. But we were at the school. "Can Ollie and I take you out after school? We want to celebrate."

She came closer, pressing her lips to mine again. "Work can wait. I'm busy sparkling."