Don't Let Me Break

by Kelsie Rae

Against my better judgment, I whisper, “You wanna be my friend?” His attention drops to my lips, and he steps away. “Yeah, Kate. I wanna be your friend.”

“You gonna kiss me yet, Mack?” I whisper. “Give me a second.” “For what?” “So I can memorize this.” His gaze bounces around my face and lands on my mouth. “Why?” I ask with a laugh. “Because a moment like this doesn’t come along every day, Kate. And neither does a girl like you.”

When I’m with Mack, life doesn’t feel so complicated. It doesn’t feel so lonely. If anything, it feels comfortable. Like coming home and warming up by the fire. Like movie marathons in your favorite pajamas. Like fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies.

As if I was her lifeline. Her rock. When in reality, she’s slowly becoming mine.

“Don’t you get it, Kate?” Mack whispers. “You’re worth the risk. Worth the fear. Because every single day I get to spend in your presence is a day worth having. Before you, I was lost.

I like me better when I’m with you.”

And for the first time ever, I don’t feel broken anymore. In fact, Macklin Taylor might actually make me feel whole again.