I'm Waiting | ✔

Chapter 11 -

Beckett's POV

"Yeah, I know," I say quietly. "It's the effect you have on me, Vanessa." She really doesn't believe I love her?

Her eyes widen at this, but then they narrow. "I have an effect on you?" It's like she's confused—why is that?

I lean down and kiss her forehead, keeping her close. "Of course you do." I don't know why she would assume otherwise.

"Wow," she says under her breath. She buries her head in my chest again, her ear pressed up against my heart.

I tense for a second, unsure of what to do. But as her arm traces down my back, I relax. "What do you hear?"

"It's pounding." The statement is mixed with something I can't distinguish. Wonder, maybe?

"It's because of you." I rub soothing circles on her back, smiling to myself.

"Why me?" She steps away from my chest, staring at where my heart is currently about to burst. "I'm nothing special."

"You're special," I say firmly, leaving no room for argument. "You are flawless, perfect in every way."

"I'm not perfect."

"To me, you are," I counter. "You've got everything under control all of the time, you're like, the best dancer in the class, you're beautiful."

"You really think so?" I can hear the doubt in her voice. She doesn't believe me.

"I don't think so. I know so." I take her hand and gently twirl her around, dipping her at the end.

Vanessa lets out a yelp. "Beckett!"

I ignore her, lifting her off of her feet and above my head, grinning at her.

She watches me, a smile threatening to spill over her face. "I don't want to fall, Beckett."

"Then don't. But if you do, I'll catch you," I say simply, but the words have an underlying meaning.

Vanessa grins at me happily, finally relenting and spreading her arms. "You better."

I let her dance in the air, admiring her subtle grace as she moves through the air. I do this for a few minutes, then my arm muscles start to burn under her weight. I lower her to the ground, gently. "I didn't drop you, did I?"

She looks me in the eye. "I trust you."

We're close.

I feel her breath fan over my neck, and I watch her. She's honestly adorable. Before I overthink things, I lean down and press my lips to her, moving them against hers.

For a moment, she hesitates, then returns the kiss.

My lips tingle everywhere they're touching hers. It's a moment of bliss.

My lungs burn, and my eyes flutter open as I pull away, breathless. "Vanessa," I whisper. Does she regret that?

I can't be sure. "Beckett?" she asks, sounding just as breathless as me. Her anxious gaze almost makes me lose myself. She's perfect, absolutely and completely perfect.

Is this a good time, if any? I've no idea. But all I can see is the jealousy that clouds my vision when she's with someone—anyone else. I want to stake my claim on her while I still can, but what if it's too soon. What if she turns me down? I blurt out the question before I can overthink it—something I always do when it comes to her.

"Will you please be my girlfriend, Vanessa?"