Thrive (Addicted #4)

by Krista Ritchie

“I love you,” he whispers, his mouth near my ear. My lips rise into a small smile. “I love you too.” Everything right then felt too good for words. And as he stays inside of me a little too long, I wonder if it can happen again.

What’s the first best day? I press send in an instant. She’s quick to reply. The day I fell in love with you. – Lily

I’m going to love Lily how I want to love her. Overwhelmingly, uncompromisingly.

But I don’t want to live in that hopeless reality. Not anymore. I want to be the accumulation of my failures, my successes, of all the people I’ve ever met, of the man I love, and the life I want. I want to be defined by so many factors that it’s too complicated for any mathematician to piece apart. That would be the perfect life. Not good or bad. Just complex.

“We won’t let each other down.” I nod. In the end, I have to do what’s best for Lo. Even if it hurts.

Most of the time, I’m just waiting for it to ricochet. And finally hit me.