“Mr. Martin!” Susan shrieks from behind him. “Miss Thompson, sit down!”

But her words wash right over me, and the room almost fades away in slow motion as I’m suddenly crashing into his arms. He’s kissing me, and I’m crying as I throw my arms around him and kiss him back.

He pulls back, those dark, brooding eyes looking right into me. “I love you,” he says, his voice even. “I love you, Ellie, and I’m never going to stop loving you.”

And right then, nothing else matters. Right then, the final piece click into place, and despite the whispers and the giggles and the pointed fingers, it’s perfect.

“I...