And yet there I was, speechless and perspiring, stuttering over my words, acting the opposite of smooth. But Olive didn’t seem to care. She’d manage to look past all that to the real me. She didn’t see a shameless flirt or a random guy to have fun with—she saw so much more than that, and I wanted to worship her for it.

I breathed deeply and lifted a hand to her neck. “You look so beautiful, my Olive.”

She smiled and glanced at my mouth. “I love when you say that.”

I placed my other hand on her waist. “That you’re beautiful? Come on, darling, you hear that all the ti—“

“No. I love when you call me my Olive,” she corrected me with a grin, and I thought my knees would give out. I was so gone for this woman. She had no idea what she was about to get.

“I’d gladly call you mine any time you want, honey.” I pulled her to me and kissed her like I never had before. I slanted my head to meet her hungry mouth and settled my hands on her hips, gripping her tightly, as though she could slip away at any moment. I firmly locked our lips together, and she let out a small moan.

Okay so maybe I hadn’t lost all my charm and swagger.

She smiled against my mouth and kissed me harder, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I fell further into her hold.

That night we’d laughed and danced. We’d watched movies and fireworks. We’d eaten too much popcorn and drank too much cider. And when my head settled down to rest next to hers on my pillow, watching her chest rise and fall as she slept, my memory flashed all of our moments together so far. How much fun we’d had together, how much I liked her family, and how much I enjoyed chipping away at her Grinchy exterior to the soft, sweet, real Olive underneath.

I knew then—I was utterly in love with Olive Moore, and nothing was going to change that.

30. Thirty

I was on cloud nine.

Exhausted from spending the night with Finn, yes, and dizzy, my head spinning with those memories, but…happy.

I remembered Finn holding me after my fight with Sarah. Finn watching movies and fireworks with me.

Finn blowing my mind in bed.

I rolled over and found his side empty. Bleary-eyed, I sat up and rubbed my eyes before noticing a note on the bedside table.

Had to go to work early today. Last night was incredible. You better call me, or my ego is really going to take a hit. Feel free to hang around and wait for me to get off later, or I can have someone come pick you up.

-Your George Bailey