"And I've been unfair."
"Ivy, no?—"
"Let me finish." I take a breath. "You made a terrible choice three years ago, but you were eighteen and scared and trying to protect people you loved. That doesn't make it okay, but it makes it understandable."
"You don't have to?—"
"And I've been punishing you for it. Which I had every right to do, but at some point, punishment becomes cruelty and I don't want to be cruel to you."
His eyes are shining. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I forgive you. Not because you've earned it necessarily, but because holding onto this anger is exhausting and… and I miss you."
"You miss me?"
"I miss my best friend. The person who knew me better than anyone. The person who made me laugh and challenged me and—" My voice cracks. "The person I was in love with before he broke my heart."
Ethan's breath catches. "Was in love with?"
"Am in love with. Present tense. Even though I tried really hard not to be."
He's out of his chair and around the table before I can process. Wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Say that again."
"I'm in love with you. Have been since we were kids. I just didn't realize it until you were gone."
"Ivy—"
"But I need you to understand something. Forgiving you doesn't mean forgetting and trusting you again is going to take time."
"I'll give you all the time you need."
"And you need to deal with your parents. Set real boundaries. Not just ignore their calls but actually tell them they don't control you anymore."
"I will. I'll do whatever you need."
"I need you to be honest with me. Always. Even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard."
"I promise. No more secrets. No more running."
I cup his face with both hands. "And I need you to kiss me. Right now. Before I lose my nerve and take all of this back."
He doesn't need to be told twice.
He kisses me like he's been waiting three years for permission. Like I'm air and he's been drowning. His hands frame my face, gentle despite the desperation in the kiss.
I kiss him back just as desperately, three years of buried feelings exploding to the surface.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"I love you," he says. "I've loved you for so long. I'm sorry it took me three years to tell you properly."
"I love you too. And I'm sorry it took me three years to realize it."
"So what now?"
"Now we figure this out. Together. No more secrets. No more running. Just us figuring out how to be us."