Chapter 12

“Do you remember the moment you knew you were in love with me?” Maci asked, resting her chin on his chest, looking up at him.

“The first time I saw you,” he said, his voice soft and trembling. “It was my freshman year, and I saw you reading in the library during your free period. I watched you for a while I attempted to do homework, and I knew you were different from all the other girls. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you.”

“Wait, do you didn’t even talk to me?”

“Nope, not that day. But every day after for a week, I spent my free period in the library at the table next to you until I worked up enough courage to even talk to you, and then we became best friends. Friend zoned.”

“You could have just told me... don’t you think about how different things could have been if we were both just honest with each other, then?”

“All the fucking time.”

Maci laid in Dawson’s arms and didn’t want to leave, but she needed to. Maci felt sleepy and content. But the knowledge that she had to go, that they both had to work in the morning, was a sobering reminder they had to part ways - at least for now. She sighed, trying to enjoy the moment for just a few seconds longer before getting up to get dressed.

Dawson felt her stir and sighed, not wanting her to leave either. He embraced her closer, his arms wrapping around her tightly, and whispered in her ear.

“Why don’t you stay?” he asked.

Maci paused, considering his words. She wanted to stay, more than almost anything, in that moment, but the thought of spending the night with him was both exciting and terrifying.

“From now on, you might as well just stay here,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “This is where you belong.”

Maci’s heart fluttered. She was nervous, but they had been in love with each other since freshman year, so really it was about time they gave in to their feelings. She turned in his arms, looking up into his eyes, and a wave of love and happiness washed over her.

She nodded, not trusting herself to say more. Dawson smiled and kissed her forehead, then let her go so she could get dressed. She put on her clothes, still blushing at the thought of how Dawson had looked at her naked body just moments ago. She glanced at him as she put on her shoes.

He smiled again, and this time his voice was a little more teasing. “At least next time, bring a change of clothes so you don’t have to rush off,” he said. “Have dinner with me tomorrow?”

Maci paused, then nodded. She said yes, and they embraced one last time before she left.