It Has To Be You

by Dani McLean

It was a miracle the couch wasn’t on fire, because Indy was aflame.

What kind of perfect book boyfriend land did he hail from?

Somewhere along the line, everyone simply forgot the whole point of teaching was to educate. Every day, it gets more difficult, and no one — from the teachers to the students — has enough support.

“You inspire me, I suppose. Is that okay?”

She’d always gotten the inkling that if she said what she was thinking or did the spontaneous thing, she’d regret it.

With Nick, she’d wanted to be reckless. Ethan made her want to be daring.

Ethan, because he was clearly the most understanding man in the known universe (and probably some unknown ones as well), had kissed her cheek, driven her home, and wished her sweet dreams.

He was sex and softness and probably too good to be true.

“You can’t do that to yourself. Looking back will only stop you from moving forward.”

Even breakfast had lost its taste. And honestly, what was there to live for when hash browns couldn’t cheer a person up?

The blonde stretched and yawned, while her boyfriend whispered something that made her light up and bury her face in his bright orange sweater.

“I like looking out for you.” “You deserve someone who looks after you.”

“All right, where do you want to be taken?” His bed sounded great.

“You want me to put myself first? Then I’m calling your bluff, Indy. Because the only thing I want right now is you.”

“You weren’t created to be packed away or muted. Don’t ever think you have to hide yourself from me.”

“I should have been chasing you,” she whispered into his chest.

“No, it’s not. It’s better. Because this is me, choosing to fall in love with you. It’s not something I was made for or forced into. I wanted to, and I did.”

You’re strong enough on your own,” he said, palm soft against her cheek. “But every good climber needs an anchor point. Someone to catch them if they fall. Let me be yours.”

“Nope, I’m not letting you diminish this. You did something amazing, and I don’t know how I’ll ever show you how grateful I am for it. How grateful I am for you.”

You might need a sign to be sure of your feelings, Indy, but I know how I feel, and I don’t need a single thing to convince me.”

“Indy, you’re the kind of special I never could have wished for. Because I didn’t think it existed.”

“I had convinced myself that magic didn’t exist, and then this gorgeous woman came along, talking about fate and soulmates, and she was everything I ever wanted. And do you know what? It made me want to believe.”

Ethan was who she wanted, and she would storm every castle and undo the very rules of the universe to be with him. Fate be damned.

Fate had had her chance. Indy was taking the reins now.

“Nick, stop being a dick and pay me back already.”

Indy couldn’t believe it. This was the guy she’d been chasing? If she could find that psychic, she’d demand her money back.

“I’ve wanted this for a long time, Indy, and I won’t be rushed.”

“Take what you need, sweetheart. Use me.”

“Look at you. Gorgeous. Taking all of me.”

It felt so good to let go. To trust in Ethan, with his strong hands and commanding presence.

“You’re not going anywhere. I’m not even close to being done with you.”

She nodded. He always understood.

With Ethan, she wanted forever.

Even after dating for three months, Indy could barely stand to be near him without kissing him.

“It means I was right. You were meant for me.”