Earth-Shattering News

Claire pulled away and put her hands on Alex's shoulders to keep him back a little as she tried to clear her head. She needed answers. 

"Hang on a minute. Why did you kiss me?"

He let out a small, exhilarated laugh. "I would have thought that was obvious. I'm in love with you too so I didn't see the point in holding back anymore. I can't tell you how much I've been wanting to do that."

Her still-racing heart skipped a beat at his words. Oh. So she hadn't read him wrong. That was comforting but still didn't explain much. 

"Since when?!" 

Alex shrugged. "Well, I realized something weird was going on with me since we were in Florida but didn't have a name for it at first. Eventually Ray helped me figure it out. I didn't say anything sooner because of how many times you specifically said I wasn't your boyfriend. It made me think you weren't interested."