My Ten-Year Crush by Olivia Spring

Chapter Thirty-Nine

That was the last of the children gone. I finally had Mike all to myself.

‘So…’ I came into the classroom as he started packing up the various colourful language materials. ‘Spanish lessons?’

‘Yeah, I help out with them sometimes as a favour. I enjoy it. Well, not so much the dressing-up bit—it’s like a sauna in this costume—but the lessons. Teaching kids can be fun sometimes.’ Mike stepped out of his outfit and quickly changed into a fresh white T-shirt and the grey tracksuit bottoms that I liked. Those were the same ones he had worn that night we’d first got together at my place, so they’d always be my favourite.

‘I didn’t even know you spoke Spanish. A man of many talents…’

‘You haven’t seen anything yet, Bells.’ He pulled me into him and gave me a long, slow kiss.

Eventually we came up for air.

‘I could literally do that all day,’ I gasped.

‘Me too… so let’s continue…’ He pushed his mouth onto mine. ‘I’ve spent the last week worrying that I’d never get to kiss you again, so we’ve got seven days of kissing to make up for, plus at least ten years. That’s a lot of snogging.’

‘No complaints from me. Although…’ I glanced at my watch and sighed. ‘You’ve got the cab booked. Won’t you be late getting to the airport?’

Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t as concerned. Mike just shrugged his shoulders. ‘If I miss the plane, I’ll just have to stay here longer, won’t I? In fact, why don’t I? It won’t really make a difference if I go a few days later. I don’t start properly until a week on Monday. I planned to go this weekend because I was going to catch up with some old friends and chill out a bit. But when I booked my ticket, I didn’t know I was going to see you again…’

‘But won’t you lose your money?’

‘I’ll figure something out. I have a contact at the airline. He’s the one who switched the flight to today, so he should be able to help me change my ticket again. If not, it doesn’t matter. It’s only money. You’re worth so much more. Spending time with my Bells is priceless.’ He gave me another long kiss.

My stomach flipped. Mike always made me feel so amazing. And I loved how he was able to be so spontaneous. Before, I’d seen his desire to travel and have fun as flighty, but now I really saw how good it was to let go a little and enjoy life more.

‘Well, if you’re sure…’

‘I am.’ He grabbed his phone and started typing out a text. ‘Just cancelled the cab. So as I was saying, I am definitely sure. There’s just one condition, though.’

‘What’s that?’

‘I’ll need to crash at yours. Someone’s already moving into the flat I was renting tomorrow, and I don’t fancy living with my dad and his new girlfriend.’

‘Hmmm.’ I put my finger on my chin. ‘Let me think. Having you, one of my favourite people in the world stay with me, giving me big hugs whenever I need them and having amazing sex on tap… sounds like torture, but I suppose I can suffer, if it helps you out. Consider it my good deed of the day.’

‘Oh, thank you. I promise to repay you with burgers filled with extra gherkins, lots of Friends binge-watching sessions, and of course multiple orgasms…’

‘Mmmm.’ I kissed him again. ‘Sign me up!’

‘And I can help you prepare for the move and start looking for jobs over there. It’ll be fun. After all these years, we’ll finally get to go away together.’

‘Yep! And for maybe six months too—depending on when I’m able to come over.’

‘More than just six months! For a whole lifetime. This is it, Bells.’

‘It is for me too.’

‘Good to know.’ Mike exhaled. ‘Especially seeing as I’ve just declared in front of a room full of witnesses that I plan to marry you and have kids.’

‘Yes, you did!’ I laughed. I’d thought the same thing. Something told me that India and Elliot would be more than happy to testify if ever I needed them to.

‘I mean, I haven’t even proposed yet and we’ve already got wedding venues offering their services too. Did you see that email from the hotel with our photo earlier?’

‘Yep. Her hint was about as subtle as a sledgehammer! She was right about one thing, though, we do make a great couple.’

Mum, Sophia, Cassie and Melody had all said the same. I couldn’t wait to update them later. It was confirmed. Mike and I were finally together. Properly. They’d be so happy for us.

‘Definitely, Bells. I’m really glad we got a second chance to spend our lives together. Not everyone gets this lucky, so for as long as I’m on this earth, I intend to enjoy every single moment with you. I’m all in.’

As he wrapped his arms around my waist and squeezed me tight, I knew he meant every word.

Mike was no longer just my ten-year crush. Now he was my best friend, my partner, my cheerleader and my lifetime love. Like Melody said, we were going to be great together. We always had been. And I knew with all my heart that we always would be. Forever.