Page 103 (1/2)

As I take in the fact that Mako is who I should’ve been with all along The fact that I was so close to having hi What would’ve happened if I had just turned around? If I had discovered the s no man has ever et sick that night, pulling me away froht I would’ve let hih the iven him my number and asked for seconds Thirds, fourths, fifths and so on until I had him forever

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I ask with bewilderment

“Because you were fir you that wouldn’t have changed anything And to be honest, I didn’t want that memory tainted You hated me up until recently If I had told you then, you would’ve spit it back in my face I don’t think I could’ve handled that”

Shaht And I hate that he is

“I’m sorry,” I say I release a harsh breath “I’m sorry for the way I treated you, Mako You were incredibly kind toback in your face I treated you horribly, fuck, I even slapped you And I’ to say it I’m just… sorry”

“Don’t be,” he says, taking another step towardsit to be completely erased “That hat made me fall in love with you, River”

Tiht away My es on before I can even stutter out a response

“I don’t want you to say it back But it’s the truth You’re so strong, River You’re fierce and independent And despite that fact that so back up on your feet I admired you for that It pissed me off too, sure But fuck, did it make me fall in love with you”

Hot tears burnthe bottoh me, soShock, absolutely But anything else I can’t decide Am I happy? Excited? Sad? I don’t know

What I do know is that everything I felt before Mako was a lie Falling in love with Mako feels like stepping into a fire with his hand clasped firmly in mine It burns, but I’m not alone

“Come here, Mako”

Twenty Two

Mako

I DIDN’T PLAN ON THISti to River that I’ hard to regret it when she’s staring atready to eatfro to her command like a trained K-9

I reach her in two big steps, orinto her soft curls and her even softerinto mine in one swoop River McAllister’s lips onheaven on earth