"I need to explain," I started.
"No, you don't. I took you by surprise and I'm sorry," he said in his usual gentle tone.
"No, you don't understand. I...I've been...."
"You've been what?" He looked at Hallie when he said this. She glanced at me and then turned to leave the room, but I couldn't sworn she smiled at him first.
"I... I don't know how to say this...." This was it. This was the point where he would run out the door and never look back, hating me forever.
"I love you."
"I know you do, but...."
"I love you. Not Sarah. I love you," he said with a smile.
"I know but... Wait, what?"
"I know who you are. I've known from the start."
My head reeled and I sat up to stop the spinning. "How is that possible?"
"Do you remember that party on graduation night? The one you skipped out on because you thought you only got invited because of your sister?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm surprised Sarah didn't tell you what happened that night."
I shook my head, more confused than ever.
"I kissed her that night."
My heart sank. Why tell me that now? Why rub that in my face?
"I don't know if it was because we were drinking, or because of guilt on her part, but..."
"What do you mean, guilt? She was single then."
"Yeah, but she knew you liked me. She told me."
"Oh, God! You knew?" I asked, horrified.
"I knew. Anyway, when I kissed her, I felt nothing. All the anticipation and the fantasies I'd had about kissing her and..." he leaned toward me a little, his grip tightening on my ankles.
"Nothing."
"What does that have to do with what I did?"
"I know I should be angry. I should walk away and never talk to you again. But... Don't you see?"
I shook my head. My stomach flipped and I held my breath awaiting what came after that but.
"But I can't. I fell in love with you, Sam."
"I still don't understand..."
"I knew the first time I kissed you that you weren't Sarah."
"How?"
"Because my world changed when we kissed. It wasn't stiff and awkward like it was with Sarah. It was full of love and passion. I realized then that I was where I was supposed to be. With you, not her."
"Are you saying you don't hate me for lying to you?" Tears welled in my eyes again.
"I can't. Don't get me we, I'm not happy that you lied but, after all, didn't I play along? I did, very obviously, drool after her for four years so you thought you had no choice. I did, however, fall in love with Sam."
"I... I don't know what to say." I shook my head in disbelief.
"Say you'll marry me. The rest we can work on later. But, say you'll marry me, Sam."
I threw my arms around his neck and inhaled his skin. "Yes, Matthew. I will marry you."
"Good because I realized I never loved Sarah. That was just a childish crush. This is real love, true love. It's always been you, Sam."
My heart melted and I sank into his arms, the lies over, my world finally mine again.
