The Boy with the Bookstore

by Sarah Echavarre Smith

“I want you right here, Max.” I gasp into his mouth. “I want them to see. I want to show them I’m yours.”

“Food is my life. I am not ashamed of it.”

“Joelle,” he rasps against my mouth. “I want you any way I can have you. Always.”

“It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” I mumble, “So are you,” before I fall asleep.

“You make me so happy,” I say. “Happier than I’ve ever been.” The corner of her mouth quirks up, and it feels like fireworks going off inside me. “I’d be a disaster without you,” I say.

The most thoughtful, beautiful, kind, funny, and loyal person I’ve ever met—and she’s with me. And I love her.

With her, I’ll always want more.

I don’t know what it’s like to be part of a family. But I want to.

you deserve to be with someone who’s willing to say ‘I love you,’ no matter if we’re blissfully happy or fighting like cats and dogs—and mean it just the same.”