Always Never Yours(84)

We don’t rush. Each motion is a step onto uncertain ground, into an unexplored place. My hands find the back of his shoulders, and I clutch him close to me, our hearts pounding together. It’s nothing like it was with Tyler. It’s how it’s supposed to be. From the way Owen’s eyes hold mine, I know he feels it, too.

I’ve spent the day in this bed, in this room, committing to memory every detail of the paint on the walls and the kitschy pattern of the curtains. It’s been empty, suffocating, but with Owen it’s bursting with light. It doesn’t matter the hotel is cheap and plain, the view out the window ordinary—it’s perfect. I don’t need skinny-dipping under the stars. I only need this.

Owen breathes my name, and I feel like the center of the universe.



* * *





We lie in bed for minutes that feel like seconds or hours, my head resting on the hollow of his shoulder.

“Wow,” he whispers in the darkness. “No wonder you thought I was insane for having a girlfriend all the way in Italy.”

I feel him smile, and I laugh softly. “Yeah, now you know what you’ve been missing out on.”

“I was missing out on a lot before I met you.”

I slide my hand up his chest. “To be fair, I didn’t know it could be like this either.”

“Really?” He tilts his head down.

I look up, meeting his eyes. “Really.” I pause, a little nervous to ask the question in my head. “Do you want to stay?”

He hugs me tighter. “Of course I do.”

I close my eyes, not bothering to wonder how long he means. Tomorrow, two weeks, it doesn’t matter—right now is enough.





TWENTY-SIX




ROMEO: I have more care to stay than will to go.





Come death and welcome. Juliet wills it so.


    How is ’t, my soul? Let’s talk. It is not day.


   JULIET: It is, it is. Hie hence, begone, away!


III.v.23–6


WHEN I WAKE, OWEN’S NEXT TO ME.

I roll onto my side to find him already awake. He’s lovingly tracing a finger down my arm, and when our eyes meet, he kisses me lightly on the shoulder.

My stomach growls. Owen looks startled, then amused, and I realize exactly how hungry I am. Madeleine’s brownies and the two granola bars I had for dinner aren’t holding me after the events of last night. How long has it been since I ate? I glance at the clock. “Shit!” I elbow Owen. “It’s seven twenty!”

“Ow, Megan.” He’s rubbing his ribs when I turn back over, and in the morning light I’m given new appreciation of his shirtless chest.

“Sorry,” I say, not really meaning it. “Seriously though, you’re going to miss morning room checks if you don’t leave.” In the back of my mind I notice Alyssa hasn’t returned yet either. Whatever she’s doing with Will, she’s really cutting it close on time.

Owen props himself up on his elbow, blinking. “Oh. Right. Yeah.” He tosses off the covers and begins searching for his clothes on the floor. Pulling on his pants, he pauses and faces me, concern in his eyes. “Hey, um,” he says hesitantly, “everything’s . . . okay, right?”

Touched, and noticing his ears have gone my favorite shade of red, I smile. “Oh my god. You’re perfect.”

“Um, thanks.” A smile flickers on his face. “But you didn’t exactly answer the question.”

I leap out of bed and fling my arms around his neck. Tilting my head upward so our noses nearly touch, I smile shamelessly. “Okay would be putting it mildly.” I crush my lips to his, spurred on by his adorableness. Without hesitation his arms encircle my waist, and—I feel him leading us toward the bed.

“Owen!” I say, chastising. Not that I blame him for his enthusiasm. I did just throw myself at him without a stitch of clothing on.

He looks taken aback. “But you just said it was—”

“You have nine minutes,” I interrupt, picking up his shirt and halfheartedly offering it to him.

He only grins. “Nine minutes is so much time, Megan.”

I laugh and shake the shirt. “No, really. I don’t know why Jody didn’t drop by yesterday, but she’s definitely going to today, to lecture me or something before call time. Besides, do you want Alyssa to walk in on us? She’ll be back any minute.” Owen groans, and I have no choice but to toss the shirt in his face. “Out, Romeo!”



* * *





Morning room checks happen with no sign of Jody—or of Alyssa. Brian Anderson’s mom, the chaperone, picks up my Juliet costume for quick alterations to fit Alyssa’s petite height and measures me for the Lady Montague dress, and I realize Jody’s given me the part whether I like it or not. I guess that’s her style. I’m beginning to wonder whether she’ll ever come talk to me or if she’s written me off completely.

I’ve just returned to my room after running downstairs to grab a bowl of oatmeal—I wanted to hit the buffet before everyone else got there—when I hear a knock on the door. I know it’s not Jody, who’s discussing set placement with the stage crew for their scheduled meeting in the theater. It’s probably Owen coming back to get his belt that he left when I kicked him out. I open the door, the belt in hand.