Perfect for You(3)

I lower myself into the pool because I don’t like to shock my system. Ash is the opposite. He dives right in, and as I turn to find him, he swims up in front of me. The second his face pierces the surface, I cup his cheeks in my hands and kiss him. My legs wrap around his waist, and we sink below the water. Ash’s hands pull me closer. Our eyes meet, and we stare at each other for a few seconds before resurfacing for air. I wish I could stay under the water with him like that forever. Just the two of us. That’s the way I like it. The rest of the world sort of stops existing when Ash and I are alone.

Ash wipes water droplets from my cheek. My limbs are still wrapped around him. I feel at home in his arms and have no intention of letting go any time soon. Should I tell him I love him? I really don’t want to be the first one to say it, but who does? Maybe he’s as nervous about saying it as I am. And I know I feel it. I do love him.

As I’m working up the courage, my eyes stray to the stars in the sky. There’s not a cloud in sight, and the bright pinpoints of light seem like they’re shining just for us. I look at Ash again. His face is partially bathed in the pool lights. He set them on dim to give us some privacy, while still making it possible to see. You don’t get moments much better than this one.

“What are you thinking?” I ask, combing my fingers through his hair. Part of me hates that I’m taking the girly way out of saying what’s on my mind.

“That you’re beautiful.”

I smile. “It’s the lighting. Really, I look hideous lately. That’s why I only allow you to see me at night. The darkness shields you from—”

He presses his lips to mine again. Normally, he loves when I go off on my wild tangents like this, but he clearly has other things on his mind right now. When he finally pulls away, he stares into my eyes. “You could never be hideous.” He runs his fingers over my shoulder, and I realize I have goose bumps. “Are you cold?” he asks. “Do you want to go in?”

I shake my head. “No, not yet. I like it right here.” I tighten my legs around his waist.

“I like it here, too.” He’s giving me that look again, and I can barely stand it. Does he really think I won’t say it back? Does he not know how I feel?

“Ash—”

“I love you, Meg.”

My goose bumps spread, and I forget how to breathe. He said it. He loves me. My pulse races, but Ash’s expression is one of worry. I haven’t said a word. I swallow hard, willing my body to start working again, to react.

“I love you, too.”

Relief washes over him, quickly followed by the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face. He kisses me again, and we don’t get out of the water until we’re both well past pruney.





Chapter Two


I stay in bed through lunchtime, happily dreaming of Ash. I even wake up with a smile on my face, and that smile widens when I grab my cell from the nightstand to find a text from Ash.

Ash: Miss you. See you 2night.

Even though the message is simple, and it doesn’t mention the L-word at all, I’m happier than a circus clown. Nothing can bring me down right now. Ash loves me. I love him. Everything is right in my world.

I hop in the shower and sing this old sappy love song Mom likes to belt out while she’s vacuuming. I’ve always laughed at her for liking the song, but today it seems like the perfect thing to sing. I’m different today. I’m the girl Ash is in love with.

Still smiling, I go downstairs and grab some coffee, which is cold from sitting for hours. Mom and Dad left for work a long time ago. I toss a few ice cubes in my mug and decide to go for iced coffee. Why fight it? My cell rings while I’m pouring myself a bowl of cereal. A quick glance at the screen tells me it’s my best friend Grayson calling.

“Hey, Gray!” Yes, I’m Little Miss Sunshine this morning.

“Well, someone woke up on the right side of the bed. Should I ask if Ash was in that bed?”

“No! But I do have news.” My voice is so bubbly I barely recognize it. “Ash told me he loves me.”

“No way! He said the L-word?”

“Yup!”

“When? Where? Tell me everything.”

I melt into the stool at the counter and tell her everything. The pool, the stars, the amazing make-out session, and of course Ash saying he loves me. When I finish she’s silent. “Gray? Did I lose you?” I pull the phone away from my ear and check the connection. Seems fine. “Gray?”

“I’m here.” Her voice is small, not happy at all.

“Why aren’t you jumping up and down with me? You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to be almost as excited about this as I am.”

“Did you say it back?”

“What? Yes, of course. Would I be this happy if I didn’t?” Something’s up. “What’s going on?”

I can practically hear her shrug. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just confused. I mean, you’re hanging out with Noah behind Ash’s back. I kind of thought…Do you even know what you want?”

“You thought what? That I’m into Noah? That just because he started talking to me, I’d break up with Ash?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

How can she say that? “Noah and I are just friends. We both play tennis, we think alike…” I’m not sure how much to tell her without making her more suspicious.