I stood quietly in the kitchen staring at the floor, waiting for Ethan to speak.

“Listen, Gracie,” Ethan began.

I looked up to see Ethan staring down at the floor.

“I’m not good with expressing my feelings,” Ethan said, looking up at me. “I overreacted the other day. I was just scared about losing you. I know you said you were fine, but I was still worried. I know that wasn’t fair to you, especially since you were the one going through it and not me. I should've thought more about your feelings and how you were feeling in the situation. Dahlia yelled at me afterwards. I’m sorry about everything.”

The room stayed quiet for a moment.

“I shouldn’t have broken up with you. Every minute that goes by, I regret my decision that day even more,” Ethan said, choking up. 

It was as if he was about to cry. Ethan grabbed both of my hands and held them in his, sending chills down my arms and down my back. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach and started dancing.

“I love you, Gracie,” Ethan said with a smile. “I can’t help, but love you. You’re kind, smart, confident, positive, and beautiful. I understand if you don’t love me back, but I needed to get it off of my chest.”

I stared at him for a moment.

He loved me. Me.

“I love you, Ethan,” I said with a smile.

Ethan looked shocked as I said it, but his shocked face soon melted into a huge smile. He then let go of my hands and grabbed my waist. He pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arms around my waist. I took my arms and wrapped them around his neck.

We then kissed. Over and over. Passionately. Lovingly.

The kiss ended and we both breathed heavily looking into each other’s eyes.

“So, will you be my girlfriend again?” Ethan asked. “I promise to treat you better.”

I giggled.

“Of course I will, silly,” I said, smiling.

Ethan then kissed me again and again, each kiss filled with more love and passion than the last.