Words aren't getting the point across. Words aren't enough, period.
I bring my palm to her cheek, I lean in, and I press my lips to Piper's.
Fuck, she tastes good. Like coffee and sugar.
And home.
She melts into the kiss, all that affection pouring into me.
It's clear as day. I need her. I won't fucking survive without her.
When she pulls back, she stares into my eyes.
"Fuck, wrong order." I need to explain this.
She smiles. "I'm okay with that."
I run my fingertips over her cheek. "I love you, Piper. I love that you're sweet and stubborn. I love that you see the good in people. I love that you came here even though I told you not to."
"Everyone else told me not to."
"I fucking love that about you." My smile spreads over my cheeks. "You knew what I needed. I hate that you put that in front of what you needed, but—"
"No." She shakes her head. "I needed to know you were okay. I needed to be here to hold your hand. That's what I needed."
"I dumped you."
"You were still my friend." Affection fills her blue eyes. "I'll always care about you."
"I still think I'm a mess. I still think you'd be smart to find a guy who isn't as fucked up, but that isn't what I want anymore."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to be mine."
She takes in my words with a nod. Then her eyes are fluttering closed and she's pressing her lips to mine.
Her tongue slides into my mouth. Her hands dig into my hair. She kisses me hard and deep, like she knows this is where she belongs.
She pulls back with a needy sigh. "Wrong order." She laughs.
"What comes first?"
She drags her fingertips over my cheeks and along my chin. Her eyes get bright. "Maybe you're a mess, but I'm a mess too. And maybe you're right and I'm better off finding someone else. But I don't believe that. And I don't care. I don't love some other guy." She smiles. "I love you, Kit. I want you to lean on me, because I know, one day I'm going to have to lean on you. That's love—two people helping each other get through everything life throws their way."
She leans in and kisses me again. It's a deep, steady kiss. It's the kind of kiss that inspires love songs and sonnets. It's a kiss that convinces me I deserve her.
Epilogue
Piper
It smells like coffee downstairs, but that isn't my favorite thing about waking up here. The artfully decorated Christmas tree, with its homemade ornaments and its rainbow string lights is a strong contender.
And that Kit's parents are upstairs in the guest room.
Our guest room. It's our apartment now, even if I technically crash at my parents' place on nights when I stay at school late.
My favorite thing about waking up here isn't the tiny present under the tree, the one with the raspberry wrapping that perfectly matches my rolling duffel.