Home is where the heart is at ~ Zachary Merrick (book 2)

~13~

This man is freaking hot. That's all
~Alyssa~
Finals were here and I was going into crunch time. Zack was over a lot to keep me calm in all of my stress.

And not only was I studying hard, I was also working on my speech.

I sighed and set my physics book down, rubbing my head. Zack glanced up from his phone and got up. "Okay, don't touch anything else, we're going on a walk."

He helped me up and I stuck some shoes on. "Zack, as much as I would love to, I don't have time." He shushed me and we went outside and got started.

Our walk was quiet, but enjoyable. Spring was definitely here. It was quite warm for being middle of May.

Zack sighed and I glanced at him. "What?" He met my eyes. "Nothing. I'm just thinking of how far we've come in our relationship."

I smiled, thinking back on everything. "Hey, remember the first time we said I love you to each other?" He chuckled, vividly remembering.

It was Zack's graduation and I went to hug him. He gave me an awkward smile and one of the most awkward hugs I have ever experienced.

He ignored me the rest of the time until I went to his house that night. I rang the doorbell and he answered it.

"Alyssa? What's up?" I wrapped my arms around myself. "What's up? What's up with you? Why are you acting so weird?"

He seemed uncomfortable. "I'm not sure what you mean?" I pursed my lips, trying to come up with something to say.

"You ignored me the whole time after your graduation, you didn't even call me by my nickname, and now you're acting even weirder than before. Zack, I want to know what's going on? Are you just not into the relationship as much as I am?"

Zack shook his head. "It's not that." Our eyes locked. "Then what is it? What am I doing wrong, Zack?" He threw his arms up.

"You're not doing anything wrong, Alyssa! The issue is that I love you!" I froze. He has never said that to me before.

"Y-you love me?" He turned bright red and slowly nodded. "Yeah. I've been trying to figure out how to say it."

My shocked look turned into a smile. "Zack," he peered at me. "I love you, too." I leaned up to kiss him.

I laughed. "You got so nervous! And I love making you flustered." He pushed me slightly. "Oh, I'm aware!" I got back to his side and slipped my hand into his.

"Oh, my God, like the first time I ever changed in front of you. You were more red than a tomato!" I started laughing again.

"Zack, I don't have time!" I dug through all of my clothes, trying to find a shirt for my interview. "Why does it matter which one you wear?"

I finally found my crop top I wore to my first party and yanked my mindless self indulgence shirt off. I pulled the crop top on and looked at Zack.

He was as bright as a tomato. "What?" He started stammering. I scoffed and grabbed a jacket. "C'mon, it's probably not your first time seeing a girl change."

He followed me out of my room. "Actually, it is." I stopped and looked at him. "Seriously?" He nodded. "Whoa."

He groaned. "Stop making me more embarrassed!" I swung our arms between us. "You're cute when you're flustered. It's one of the many things I love about you."

He stopped and wrapped his arms around me. "And there's many things I love about you, Alyssa Evans. Like, how you'd do anything to protect your sweet little brother and keep him happy."

I smiled and leaned up to kiss my favorite man.