When Love Finds You

Chapter - 39

She met his gaze, her cheeks still flushed but her voice steady. “I want you to kiss me, Freen. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. But I don’t want you to feel pressured. If you’re not ready—” 

Freen cut her off, shaking his head with a soft laugh. “Pressured? Rebecca, I’d wait forever for you if that’s what you needed. But if this is what you want, and you’re sure…” 

“I’m sure,” she whispered, her eyes shining. 

He smiled, reaching out to cup her face gently. “Then I’ll kiss you, but only if you’re absolutely okay with it.” 

“I am,” she replied firmly, her voice filled with trust. 

Slowly, Freen leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a tender yet passionate kiss that made Rebecca’s heart soar. Time seemed to stop as they poured all their emotions into that single moment. Freen’s hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her even closer, while Rebecca’s fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

When they pulled apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting together. 

Freen grinned mischievously. “You know,” he began, his tone teasing, “if you wanted a kiss, you could’ve just told me directly. All these articles and forwards… was that your way of dropping hints?” 

Rebecca huffed, her cheeks still flushed. “Maybe. But you’re so dense sometimes, Freen!” 

He laughed, wrapping his arms around her. “Hey, I figured it out eventually, didn’t I? But next time, just say the word. Or better yet,” he added with a cheeky grin, “you could always surprise me and steal one yourself.” 

Rebecca playfully smacked his chest, though her laughter gave her away. “You’re impossible!” 

“And you love it,” Freen quipped, earning another mock glare. 

They continued their evening, the teasing and laughter only made their bond stronger, the love between them unmistakable.

As they drove back to the Armstrong home, Rebecca sat beside Freen in the car, her hand intertwined with his. She seemed reluctant to let go, her fingers gently squeezing his every now and then. 

“This feels like a dream,” Rebecca whispered, staring at their joined hands. “I don’t want it to end, Freen. I’ve never felt this… happy, this free before.” 

Freen glanced at her, his heart swelling. “It’s not a dream, Rebecca. This is real, and it doesn’t have to end. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” 

Rebecca’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Promise me that, Freen. Promise me this feeling won’t go away.” 

He kissed the top of her head softly, his free hand caressing hers. “I promise. I’ll make sure this feeling only grows stronger.” 

They continued the ride in comfortable silence, her head resting on his shoulder while he drove with a content smile on his face. 

---

As they pulled up to the house, Freen stepped out quickly and walked around to open the door for Rebecca. She smiled at his gesture, slipping her hand into his as they began walking toward the house. 

The chill in the air made her grip his hand tighter, and just as they reached the porch steps, she stopped suddenly, turning to face him. 

“Rebecca?” Freen asked, his voice laced with curiosity. 

She hesitated for only a second before leaning in, her lips pressing against his in a bold, passionate kiss. Freen was taken aback at first but quickly responded, wrapping his arms around her as they deepened the kiss. 

The world seemed to fade away as the kiss continued, both of them pouring their emotions into it. When Rebecca finally pulled back to catch her breath, Freen smiled and leaned in to kiss her again, unable to resist the magnetic pull between them. 

Their moment, however, was abruptly interrupted by a loud, dramatic voice. 

“My eyes! My eyes!” Richie exclaimed, covering his face with both hands as he stood at the doorway. “Could you two warn a guy next time?!” 

Rebecca gasped, pulling back from Freen with wide eyes. Her face flushed as she tried to think of an explanation, but the words wouldn’t come. 

Freen, on the other hand, chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. “Uh… good evening, Richie.” 

“Evening?!” Richie retorted, peeking through his fingers. “This isn’t the kind of evening greeting I signed up for!” 

Rebecca smacked Freen lightly on the chest, her cheeks still burning. “Say something to him!” she whispered. 

“I tried,” Freen whispered back, earning an exasperated look from Rebecca. 

As the trio entered the living room, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were sitting on the couch, pretending to be engrossed in a book and the television. Their subtle glances, however, gave away that they had been watching from the window. 

“So,” Mrs. Armstrong began, her tone playful, “where did you two run off to tonight?” 

Rebecca opened her mouth to answer, but Freen beat her to it. “Oh, just dinner by the sea. Nothing too exciting.” 

“Dinner by the sea, huh?” Mr. Armstrong raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing. “And did this *‘dinner by the sea’* include… anything else?” 

Rebecca looked mortified, her mouth opening and closing without sound. Freen cleared his throat, shaking his head. “Nope. Nothing else. Just dinner and dancing. Totally innocent.” 

Mr. Armstrong leaned forward, his eyes narrowing mischievously. “Is that so? Then explain why you’re wearing lipstick, Freen.” 

Rebecca froze, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth, while Freen’s eyes widened in panic. 

“Lipstick?!” he blurted. 

“Yes,” Mr. Armstrong said, biting back a laugh. “You’ve got a nice smudge of it right there.” 

Mrs. Armstrong giggled, unable to contain herself, while Richie groaned loudly. “This is why I need therapy!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air. 

Freen and Rebecca exchanged mortified looks, both of their faces red as tomatoes. Freen awkwardly wiped at his lips while Rebecca stammered, “I-I can explain—” 

“No need,” Mrs. Armstrong interrupted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “We’re just happy to see you smiling again, Rebecca.” 

Rebecca smiled shyly, squeezing Freen’s hand under the table. Freen, still flustered, managed a sheepish grin. 

“Well,” Mr. Armstrong added, his tone still playful, “just remember, young man, we’ve got our eyes on you.” 

Freen nodded solemnly, though his smile betrayed his amusement. “Yes, sir. Understood.” 

The family dissolved into laughter, Rebecca rested her head on Freen’s shoulder, feeling more at home than she had in years.