Forever.
The word seems too unreal.
I unwrap my box, and open it to find the same three silver circles as Presley’s, but they’re in the middle of a black leather band instead of a dainty silver chain.
“I have one too.” Stephen pushes up his sleeve to show us.
“It’s beautiful,” Presley murmurs, clasping Stephen’s hand and leaning her head on my shoulder. “I love us.”
A lump forms in my throat. “Thank you,” is all I can push out without giving way to my emotions.
I’ve never had anything like this before, and I’m terrified to lose it.
I lost my mom, and I haven’t been able to trust anything in life since.
Until now.
“Can we always be like this?” Presley asks.
I tilt my head to look at her. “Like what?”
“The three of us, together. No matter what.”
Stephen takes a bite of pizza, nodding immediately. “Of course.”
I laugh. “You say it so easily.”
“What’s so difficult about it? We can work through anything that comes our way. We’re there for each other in good times and bad.” He shrugs and takes another bite of pizza. “It’s not hard to stay true to the people you love.”
My heart stalls out, and Presley sits up ramrod straight. “You just saidlove.”
Stephen’s freckled cheeks redden, but he lifts his chin with his ever-present confidence. “Yeah, I did.”
“You...love us?” she asks.
“I do.” His eyes lock with hers before flicking to mine. “Pres, you are the woman of my dreams, and Chance—you’re the man of mine.”
I don’t know anything about love. Never have, and assumed I never would. I didn’t have the best example of it growing up. But now...with these two incredible people in my life, it’s hard to believe that it doesn’t exist.
“I love you too, Stephen.” Presley leans over the table and presses a soft kiss to his lips. Then she turns to me. “And I love you, my grumpy man.”
They love me.
Not for who I’m pretending to be, but for who I truly am.
“I love you, Pres.” My voice sounds raw as I speak the three words I never thought I’d say to someone, to anyone.
I kiss Presley’s forehead, and then take Stephen’s hand into mine—on top of the table, for everyone to see. “I love you.”
Stephen grins like it’s the best thing he’s ever heard.
The three of us are connected now.
Forever.
We’requiet after we get back to the dorm.
I didn’t pay much attention to the football game. Couldn’t even tell you who won. I was too focused on the three words shared between us during dinner.