Those Who Wait

by Haley Cass

“No, I’m not – I’m just, I mean. I’m not brave. I’m just bisexual.”

She shot her a wink before leading the way down the hall. Sutton watched her go. That was the woman she was in love with. God.

“Sutton, I …” She took a deep breath, gaze falling to the floor. “From the very beginning, you were so refreshing. This whole world I’m in,” she lifted her hands and gestured in a circle before she pressed her fingertips together in front of her. “Is full of people who play games and lie and omit the truth and manipulate – and I’m a part of all of it, too. Then there’s you. And you’re so refreshing, honest, and genuine, and I was so drawn to that.” Her eyes snapped back to Sutton’s, captivating her. “To you.”

“But I’m here because I would rather be terrified and openly myself and,” she drew in a sharp breath, giving Sutton goosebumps. “And with you, than closeted and feeling like I’m hiding myself away.”

“I’m in love with you, Sutton. Terrifyingly, irreversibly, life-alteringly in love with you.”

“I never knew love was like this until you. I didn’t know everything I wanted as a little girl with my head in the clouds was real until you. There’s no one like you in all of the world, Charlotte Thompson, and I know that for a fact,” the conviction – the truth – in her words seemed to burn her throat. “You’re a force of nature, and who you are amazes me every day. And I just want to spend the rest of my life with you, supporting you and loving you.”

“I want to marry you, Sutton Spencer,” she admitted.

“Charlotte Thompson, will you marry me?” The smile on her face was both playful and so sincerely happy in a way that she didn’t think anyone but Charlotte could accomplish. “Try to stop me.”