Wreck My Plans

by Jillian Meadows

My least favorite quality about myself is that I have lusted after my best friend’s little sister for years.

But the thing I hate the most? I want Lena’s company more than anyone else’s in the world, and it’s quite possible I will die still wishing for it.

“I’m missing a home. A place that’s finally mine.”

I know I’m not the kind of person who gets a romance like that. I’m doomed to be the side character to my friends’ love stories forever, and that’s fine. At least I get to see them happy.”

“You’ll get your own love story one day,”

“You’re a lot of things, Lena Santos, but a side character is not one of them.”

“How do I know who the right person is?”

“The right person would be steady and dependable. A partner who sees you just the way you are and loves every tiny piece. They would need to be a lighthouse for you to come back to after you’ve braved the seas.”

“And they would need to be protective of you. Because you spend so much time protecting everyone around you that you need someone watching your back.”

“No, Lena. You don’t need to be tamed.”

“You’re perfect just the way you are. Wild, free, passionate, warm.”

Gavin. Architect. Foster child. Introvert. In love with Lena. Adamant she deserves better.

She’s burrowed so far into my heart and soul that there’s no moving on. Ever.

And for this one night, I have my entire world, my one true home, inside my arms.

“This was never one night for me. It was one moment of meeting you that turned into one week with your family that turned into ten years of dreaming of you. Fuck one night. I want them all.”

“It was never one night for me either,” she whispers. “I knew before it even started that it wasn’t possible.”

“We can figure this out. I’ll move to Wilhelmina with you. I can find a job there and—” “No,” she breathes. “You and Auggie have plans and a dream.”

“Fuck all that. Wreck my plans. Obliterate them. You’re my dream. None of it matters compared to you.”

“I want to be where you are. Auggie woul...