˗ˏˋOur Differences Sequelˊˎ˗

-42-

Maddie

I thought about telling Devin that my Chicago trip next week was for all of the photography interns and not just me. In fact, when I called Anna and asked for her advice, she encouraged me to do the same thing.

Despite the intense urge to lie, I decided not to.

After all, I'd hate for this relationship to become destroyed over me being a dishonest prick not even a month after we've become official.

So I decided to work up the courage to tell him, despite the nasty, horrible pit in my stomach. He might genuinely lose his mind over this — he tends to be wildly overprotective sometimes.

We were at a small cafe in the downtown area, which might've been a shitty place to tell him since we were in public.

I feel like a monster when I hold secrets from him, and since I always push for him to be more open with me, it only makes sense for me to do the same and not turn into some twisted hypocrite.

"How were your classes today?" I asked him sweetly while we sat across from each other in the warm, peaceful cafe booth.

He stressed about his cell bio class for so long last night that I thought I might have to amputate him or something to get him to go to sleep — so I was incredibly curious to hear about how it went.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Pretty mediocre. There wasn't a pop quiz in cell bio, but we took a lot of notes. And I talked to Charlie a lot this morning before class."

My expression lifted at the mention of him and Charlie speaking to each other cordially.
"Really? What did you talk about?"

"You. School. Soccer. That's about it." he smiled, tangling his leg with mine under the table.

I smiled back at him. "That's nice. He's been wanting to talk to you for a while. I think you intimidate him just a little bit."

Devin shifted in his chair. "I had to make sure he wasn't after you before I could decide to like him."

"Fair."

The cafe atmosphere was calming and comfortable. I looked around at the various decorations used on the walls and ceilings to make the interior appear more warm. It worked. Hence I always come back.

"You told me you love me last night." Devin reminded me and himself, like he couldn't fully process that specific detail.

"I did, didn't I?"

A part of me was hoping that he didn't remember me randomly spitting out those three words with zero preparation. It was late when I told him, and he even said it back — but it might've been too sudden. I probably sounded insane.

"Say it again." he glared at me with a serious, unmoving expression that sent chills up and down my spine.

I put my hands in my lap timidly. "I love you."

"I love you." his response was genuine and natural, like he's been waiting to say it. I couldn't help the flash of heat burning onto my cheeks.

"I love you so fucking much." he added, like his first I love you didn't get the point across fully.

I was blushing like crazy. He made me a foolish mess without even trying. I stared at him uncontrollably, fawning over how cute he is.

"You look so good today." I commented, admiring his grey Ralph Lauren quarter zip that I wanted to rip off of him. He looked so studious and mature, and it was fucking hot.