I’ve been sitting on my balcony watching the sunrise and wondering how things are going to play out. So many things are running through my mind. Like how I jumped at the chance to raise Fallon’s baby as my own, was that crazy? Maybe, but for her, I’d literally do anything.

Or the fact that she told me she loved me the other night. We’ve been friends almost our whole lives, and we have never said those words to each other—ever. Does that mean she truly loves me?

She hasn’t said anything to me about it, and I’m not sure if it’s because she doesn’t remember, or if everything else has made her forget. Regardless, I can’t forget, and my mind keeps getting carried away with the possibilities and what-if’s.

Like yesterday, what we talked about would be a dream come true. Even if the baby isn’t mine, I’d do anything for her and the baby.

I close my eyes and go back to the moment when my hand was cupping her face and the way my heart thudded against my chest when she confessed. But she startles me when she opens the sliding door and steps out behind me wearing only a short T-shirt.

“Morning,” she says and touches my shoulder. I pat her hand and then she sits on the chair to my left.

“Hey, how ya feeling?”

“I’m okay; I slept hard, you?”

“Off and on. Are you feeling better about things?”

“Maybe . . . it’s like the second I come to terms with one thing, another one jumps out and gets me flustered again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like telling Leo. How am I going to handle that when I don’t want to see him ever again?”

“Do you want to tell him?”

“The moral part of me does, but the emotional part has me teetering on the edge. It keeps telling me that the baby would be better off without him and his influence. You and I both know how he really is. He’s callous, egotistical, insensitive, and my mind can’t shake that one time he put his hands on me. Granted, he was drunk, and it only happened the once, but what if we had this baby at that time? What would’ve happened? He’s a ticking time bomb and . . .” Tears gloss over her eyes as she trails off.

I try to forget about the time he did that. He was drunk and slammed her against the wall when she questioned him for being out all night. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to go over there and do that same thing back to him. He deserved it after all, but she begged me not to get involved. Anything Fallon wants, I’ll give to her . . . always.

“For right now, I think the best thing you can do is let all your worries and stresses go. You’ve been through enough lately, and you have to start putting yourself and this baby first. Worry about Leo and all that shit later.”

“What should I tell my parents, they deserve to know. I haven’t been honest with them about anything; they are gonna be so hurt that I’ve lied.” I can see it’s weighing on her as she wipes the tears away from her eyes.

“Your parents have always just wanted the best for you. I think if you give them the chance, they will surprise you.” She doesn’t look very convinced, but I’m not going to push her. She’s a smart girl and will make whatever choice she feels is best, and I’m sure her parents will understand.

My phone chimes in with an email, which is the confirmation from American Insurance that they received my submission to add her as my domestic partner. I hope this will help since everything is suffocating her,

“Guess what?” I ask.

“What?”

“I just I got the confirmation from my insurance that they have everything they need to add you.”

“You did? Parks, we talked about that like twelve hours ago and hadn’t decided on anything.”

“Yeah, I know. But you had a problem that I could solve for you, so I did. Plus, I told you I would.”

“Well, I appreciate it. How did you get it submitted to them so fast?”

“They just needed something with our names and address on it that showed we’ve been together for at least six months, so I sent them an old cell phone bill.” Fallon and I have a cell phone plan together, it saves us a ton of money every month, and it’s been that way since we were younger.

“I really don’t know how to thank you, Parks.”

“You don’t need to; you know that.” I give her a small smile, and she shifts from her own seat so she can sit on my lap. Her bare ass only a few inches away from my cock sends my body into a tailspin as she wraps her arms tightly around me and nuzzles in closely, the way I love. Inside, I have my own battle, but I’ll keep fighting it as long as she is happy. Even if this is all we ever have, I’ll take it.

“Hey, I was gonna head out for a hike,” I tell her, trying to change the subject and maybe help myself focus on something else. “You wanna come?”

“Yeah, sure.”

I can’t help the smile that creeps across my face, I know getting out and enjoying some fresh air always makes her happy. I pack up my camera so I can take some shots, and Fallon goes to her room to get dressed. I would be lying if I said I didn’t watch her the entire time she was walking away from me. God, what I’d do to just have one time with her.

Coming out, she’s got the shortest shorts on, and her T-shirt is so tight I can see her bra through it. “Ready?”

“Aren’t you gonna get cold?” I ask.

“Considering I’ve been running as hot as grizzly bear lately, I doubt it.”

I chuckle as we climb into my truck. After she has her seatbelt on, she says, “I applied for a physical therapy job at a nursing home, is that dumb?”

“No, why would you ask that?”

“I don’t know; I just feel like it’s a step back from where I was.”

“Fallon, if you’re helping people get better, then you’re making a difference.” I back my truck out and drive toward my favorite trail. She looks out the window as I drive and I say to her, “Did I ever tell you that I’m being recognized at the Seattle Photography Awards?”

“No, that’s awesome, Parks. When?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“Wow, I’m sorry I didn’t know. I haven’t been the best friend lately. I should be better.”

“No, you’re perfect.” I mean it. There is not a thing I’d change about Fallon. Well, maybe that she was more than my friend.

“Thanks, thank you for being such an amazing friend to me and for doing so much. You’re my rock.”

“And you’re mine; you know that. So, you wanna come with me tomorrow?”

“What about Mallory?”

“Oh . . . she’s traveling.” Lying to her sends a twinge of anxiety spiking through my veins.

“Then I’d love to.”

And I’d love it, too. Pulling into the parking lot I’m stoked to be here. We both get out of the truck, and as Fallon starts to walk ahead of me, I snap a few photos of her walking away.

Fuck, she is gorgeous.

She looks back at me with a smirk across her face and her hair blowing in the wind.

I snap that picture, too, and glance at my camera, knowing it could be my new favorite of her.

“You didn’t say you we were gonna be taking pictures,” she says.

“I always do, you know that.”

“How do you know what to look for?”

“I don’t know, I just do. It comes natural to me.”

She is on my right as we walk along and she reaches for my camera, removing the strap from my neck and sliding it around hers. She lifts it and gives me a hesitant smile before looking around the thick forest for something that catches her eye. She takes a few pictures and then turns the lens on me. I smirk, letting her get the pictures, even though I hate being photographed.

Eventually, I take it from her.

“All right, all right, times up.”

She giggles as we keep walking, our hands brushing against each other’s. When we reach the overlook, she walks to the edge. I photograph her in this moment, so strong and beautiful as she takes the sights in. She stares out at the vast skyline, and I hope she’s feeling better about things.

My heart jumps into my throat when a strong wind pushes past me. The sudden image of losing her is so real that my breath catches. It reminds me of how I lost Meg to a riptide that was too strong. Another gust hits us both, fiercer than the last, and she teeters on the edge, clearly standing too close. I reach for her, needing her to take a step back.

I relax only after I have her safely in my arms.

“I . . . I don’t think I can handle everything.” I almost miss her words, but I don’t miss the tiny tremble that runs the length of her body.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, hating that she went from being okay to upset so quickly.

She buries her face into my chest and just shakes her head.

“It’s too much, Parks.”

“What is?”

“Leo, this baby, getting fired. What’s next? You gonna leave me, too?”

“No, never!” I grab ahold of her cheeks and force her to look me in the eyes. “Never,” I whisper, wishing she knew just how much she meant to me.

“You say that now, but—”

“But nothing,” I say with all the confidence I feel. I actually can’t believe she would ever think I would be capable of leaving her.

“What about Mallory?” she asks, “You have to think about her.”

I rest my forehead against hers, the closeness of our bodies is the key to my existence. All the lies mounting inside me, make me sick. I can’t keep this up. “Fallon, there is no Mallory.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend. Mallory is just my friend . . . I made it up.”

“Why?” She gapes back at me shocked, and I want her to understand my reasoning, but I don’t know how to only go half in on this. It’s either I tell her nothing or tell her everything. My insides tense, that familiar feeling of betrayal is blooming between us, and I have to stop it, I can’t live like this anymore.

“Because I was scared of what would happen if I told you how I really felt.”

“How you really feel? Parks, you’re not making sense.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“You should be, you lied just like Leo did,” she scoffs and tries to wiggle out of my arms, but I won’t let her go, and wrap my arms around her waist.

“No, Fallon, it’s not like that.”

“How do you figure?”

My nerves are racing as I prepare to tell her the truth. This moment, this conversation, these next words are all I’ve feared for as long as I can remember. “I came up with the fake girlfriend for a reason. Yes, I lied, but it’s absolutely nothing like what Leo did. Everything I’ve ever done in my entire life has been for you in one way or another.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Lying to me doesn’t help me . . . one bit.”

“It does. It did.”

“No, it didn’t!” She’s appalled—angry, that out of all people, I’m the one doing this to her. I search for the words, a way to make her understand things.

“Say something,” she screams.

“Damn it, Fallon, I . . . I fucking love you.”

“What?” Her eyes connect with mine as her forehead creases. My stomach is in my throat, and I’m having a hard time reconciling that I just confessed to her what I’d been afraid of my whole life.

“I said I love you!”

“I love you, too, Parks. You know that.”

“No, Fallon. I mean that I’m in love with you.”

My arms are secure around her, and I wait as her breathing turns a bit erratic while she tries to comprehend my words. That dumbfounded look across her face is telling me this is not going to end well.

“I made up Mallory to try to keep my feelings for you a secret. I couldn’t bear to lose you like I lost Meg.” I can barely keep my eyes on her as I tell her what has kept me quiet all these years. She zones out and drops her arms, but I don’t let go of her. I can’t. I’m sick with fear, waiting for the moment that she’ll turn her back on me, and I’ll never see her again.

“What do you mean?” she asks me.

“I’ve been scared to be honest with you because I’m terrified it will change things between us.”

She shakes her head, trying to process what I’m saying. “How long have you loved me?” I’m not sure what to say. I know the answer but fear the truth will be the end. “Please answer me, Parks.”

“For as long as I can remember,” I honestly tell her, waiting for her to get even more angry the same way it’s played out in my mind—again and again.

There are so many times I’ve imagined having this exact conversation and her reactions are always different. Yet, I’ve never considered a scenario that she would reciprocate my feelings; she always ends up leaving. Fuck! I should’ve kept my mouth shut and proved to her that I’m not going anywhere. I should’ve kept up the lie about Mallory.

Damn it. I’m so pissed at myself.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” She’s hurt. I can see it in her face. She’s distancing herself—slipping through my fingertips and panic creeps into the back of my throat.

“I-I couldn’t,” I admit wildly, feeling like I’m gripping at straws to hang onto her. Fuck, I wish I had the answers to make everything right—to make it all better. But my logic behind everything has been so messy for so long; I don’t know right from wrong.

“You should’ve told me, Parks. You shouldn’t have kept that from me.” Tears fill her eyes, and the revelation that I am causing her pain almost brings me to my knees.

“I didn’t know how,” I tell her, willing her to look at me, and when she does, I follow my heart— there is no turning back. This is my one final chance.

“I shouldn’t have kept it from you, and I’m sorry I did. But I was at a fragile time in my life when it all really sunk in. It was after Meg passed when the closeness between you and I became my lifeline. I knew I’d always liked you, but what you did for me after she was gone . . . the way you made me go on and gave me a purpose for living was what made me really fall in love with you. I knew there was nothing or no one who could ever change that. I battled with telling you for years, but every time I thought about it, I backed out. I was so worried what would happen to our friendship and me if I lost you too. So, I stayed quiet.”

“Why? Why would you do that?” A tear tracks down her cheek, and I brush it away.

I’m ashamed with myself for causing her this pain. “I’m so sorry.”

“You should be. You should’ve told me years ago. Because goddamn it, Parks, I fucking love you, can’t you see that?”

“You do?” my words are barely a whisper, as I try and comprehend what she is saying.

“Yes, I’ve loved you for so long, but you’ve always been with Mallory, or so I thought. God damn it, we’re meant to be together, and you stopped us from doing that.” Her words are a pure shock. I had no idea this is how she felt. “God damn you for lying to me.” She reaches for my hand and connects our fingers.

“This should’ve happened ages ago,” she mumbles and pulls my mouth to hers. Her lips are soft and plump, the way I always imagined them to be. I let her lead, and even though the kiss is gentle, the simple gesture has my cock growing. The familiar feeling that I typically fight, I now indulge in.

Her tongue sweeps against mine, and I want to deny this is real. I must be dreaming. Something that feels this good . . . tastes this good . . . can’t be happening. Yet, it is real. She is real. She is a dream come true.

* * *

Fallon and I can barely make it through the front door of the condo when we finally get back from our hike. The feeling of being honest with her after all this time and that she reciprocates it is unreal.

And now, here we are, staring at one another, the look in her eyes is what I’ve always hoped it would be. We are standing in the living room, both of us frozen as we take in this moment. I wonder if she’s as terrified as I am.

Fallon has her palm flat against her heaving chest, and she looks a little wild, unsure. “I’m nervous.” Her words are barely a whisper, but they are enough.

I place her other hand over my chest. The thudding inside me is crazy, and her warm touch makes it that much more powerful.

“Should we wait?” she asks. I want to scream no, but I manage an inkling of restraint and give her a tiny shake of my head, knowing waiting would literally kill me.

“How do we do—” I cut her off mid-sentence. My lips form over hers like they did the first time we kissed, and the softness sends excitement running through me. There is no rulebook. There is no way to plan what you’ve waited your whole life for. So, I go with my gut.

Her body melts in my hold, and I slide my free hand up to cup the base of her neck and thread my fingers through the back of her hair. Our tongues are tangled together, and in one swift movement, I lift her up and carry her to my bed. Gently, I lay her down, looking at her so willing and ready for me.

Fuck, this can’t be happening.

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted this more than anything but never once did I think it would actually come true.

My hands can’t seem to touch enough of her, or to move fast enough or hard enough. My shaft is throbbing; the anticipation is too much to handle.

She nips the end of my tongue, and I groan into her mouth.

Jesus Christ, I want her.

Needing to feel her skin against mine, I sit up and tear my shirt over my head. She does the same, and as we both take our pants off, my world flips upside down.

This is really happening. Fuck, there is no stopping this.

Cum drips from the end of my dick as she removes her bra, and her eyes watch the tiny bead. When she runs her tongue over her bottom lip, I almost break. My mind is spinning, and a thousand different thoughts are coursing through it.

And as I contemplate my next move, still lost in the perfection that is Fallon’s body, she grabs my cock. I’m frozen. Everything inside me is in chaos, but I can’t seem to move. She kneels down and wraps her lips around the tip.

“Oh fuck!” I groan, watching her skilled mouth take me all the way in, causing my balls to tighten. I watch in awe as she bobs up and down on me, making my body already scream at me to let go.

My breathing is strict and ragged, and I knot my fingers into her hair to anchor myself.

God, she sucks me so good.

She has my orgasm at her fingertips, and I back away. It earns me a small noise of disapproval, but this is just the beginning. I pin her to the bed with my hips between her spread thighs. My dick rests atop of her perfect pussy and my chest presses against hers. This is right where I want her.

I should ask about a condom, but her legs tighten around me as she rocks her hips against me. I need to have all of her. Before another thought can cross my mind, she shifts again, connecting our two bodies. Her pussy is sopping wet, so hot and tight as I fight to get as deep in her as I can.

Once I’m balls deep, I don’t move. I can’t. My orgasm is knocking at my door. This is what I’ve been waiting so long for.

Then Fallon begs me, “Fuck me with your big cock!”

And with those words I begin to pump her, fearing my cum will blaze from me at any moment. But nothing is gonna stop me from making her scream my name.

My mouth is back on hers, our tongues teasing, every stroke matched with my thrusts about makes my balls explode.

Fallon moans the sexiest noises I’ve ever heard as her pussy is clamping and restricting around me. My thrusts are long and hard, giving her every bit of me. She takes it all.

Her arms and legs are knotted around me, her body trembling beneath mine. The need to let go is strong. I arch my body up and look down at her beneath me. Her eyes are on mine while we fuck, and I know there is one thing that will make this perfect.

Leaning back down, I flip us both over, giving her complete control. She giggles, my arms behind her and as she places her two hands on my chest, scooting up and in position before she beings to fuck me.

Jesus, could she be any hotter?

Her tits are so sexy, bouncing with every movement. She takes all of my shaft, and I let her have it. She can have anything.

She pinches both her nipples riding me, and I grip her thighs, pulling her down on me as I rise to meet each of her thrusts with one of my own. My cum is unbelievably close. I fight letting go with everything I have, but then she throws her head back, and her body clamps around mine, tiny ripples squeezing me. Her coming has got to be the sexiest thing in the world. Her noises are loud, and they break my restraint. I hold her to me as I grind up into her. Then my cock swells painfully before my cum shoots inside her.

She rides me wildly, both of us letting go together, giving me the most intense orgasm of my life.

And right now, I can’t think of a more perfect moment. If I were to die today, I would not have a single regret. This woman completes me; she is my world.