Try and Catch Me (Published)

Chapter 22: I Love You

Chapter 22: I Love You

"Let's raise a glass." Aspen smiled. The chocolate eyes in him shined. His tan hand rose into the air along with his glass of water.

"To States," I declared. My hand raised. This was the happiest moment for him. Actually, the second he won states was the happiest moment. Spending his celebration with me was just an even better moment, for me at least. Aspen was gleaming the entire time. I figured that meant this was an equally great day for him as it was for me.

"No no no." Aspen shook his head. "That isn't what this dinner is for."

I sat in shock. It wasn't? It was Sunday night. He had gotten home from the trip to Orlando an hour ago. It only seemed appropriate that this was an outing for the win. When he picked me up, he looked adorable. Jeans hung on his long legs and he wore a black button up top. If I hadn't looked closer, it would've just appeared as if he was wearing normal date clothes. He had grabbed my waist and kissed me, and when he let go I noticed what was different about this attire.

On his right hand was a gold and red state ring. It shined on his finger, and even made his hand look tiny. The ring was practically the size of my face. He showed me that on the inside of the ring it was inscribed with the year and his name. After I saw that, I covered him in kisses and told him just how proud I was of him.

"It isn't?" I said with my eyes narrowed. I had dressed up for this. The dress I wore was a red skater dress in honor of our school colors.

"Can't a guy just take out his amazing girlfriend?" Aspen asked. His voice was husky. It made my stomach act like a circus. His eyes darkened just a bit. All of a sudden, he was serious. His lips pursed.

"Is everything alright Aspen?" I asked and peered closer at him. Was he sweating?

Aspen nodded and I could see him gulp. His lips parted, and then he said something. It was something that I never imagined I would hear. In fact, it made my heart stop. Never did I imagine hearing those three little words.

"I love you."

"W-what?" I stuttered.

There was just no way he had actually just said those words.

Seeing my struck face, Aspen placed his glass on the clothed table. His hands shot out and clutched onto mine.

"I know, it's really soon to be saying this. It's only been two months, but Ella, I mean it. I love you and I don't know what I would do without you. It's like before you, I've been sleeping and somehow you woke me up. I have been feeling things that I've never felt before. Nobody, and I mean nobody, makes me feel the way you do," he was babbling. Honestly, it was super cute. I couldn't believe he was saying these things. It was a complete shock that he felt just as in love as I was. His eyes were watching my entire body as he expressed his love, searching for an answer. "Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I mean, sure I love you and everything, but maybe our relationship wasn't ready for that to be said. If it was up to me, I would have told you that I loved you after our first date, but this is all on you. You hold all the cards here." He nodded and shrugged back into his velvet seat. His eyes looked everywhere but at me. His palms rubbed his thigh. "The balls in your court." He raised his hands at me.

It made me laugh how nervous he was. Saying the words "I love you," was a big thing. Him confessing this made me think that I should've told him that I loved him a while ago. Clearly, he would have said it back.

"Aspen," I began. That was when his eyes darted back to mine. He held my gaze and I could see the anxiety in them. He had no idea what I was about to say. I called his name in such a whisper, I could have been telling him anything. Waiting for my response, he sat up a little straighten and tugged on his shirt. Then, he waited.