Would You Rather

by Allison Ashley

“What if I try something new, and it’s not as good?” he’d said. “What if it’s better?” she’d returned.

Not having to force himself to make conversation was one reason he loved spending time with her.

“Stop thinking so hard and just marry me already.”

“Why do we have to get married at all?” Mia asked. She never had been fond of the idea

so all she needed to take were clothes, toiletries, and most important, her KitchenAid mixer.

Noah was eighteen when he realized he was in love with Mia.

“I’m never getting married. You know this.”

“We don’t want each other.” “Lies. When you walk away, he always watches you go. And you always look back.”

He walked in the door ten minutes later, finding Mia exactly as she’d said: sitting cross-legged on the couch with a book in her lap. She smiled and he went to her immediately, setting the bag of food on the coffee table. He took the book from her lap and pulled her to a standing position, wrapping his arms around her. She let out a satisfied sound and hugged him back. “Well, hi.” “Hi.” He rested his cheek on her head and closed his eyes, the tension leaving his body like it always did when she was in his personal space. They stood that way for long seconds, and he loved when she just let him hold her like this. She didn’t pull away until he loosened his arms.

“Why does people loving you make you feel guilty?”

“I love you.” “Yeah?” He smiled. “Well. I loved you first.”