[Hearing it then, finally, is enough to make Billy glance over and smile. Because under all the cheek and sass and sarcasm and cynicism he's just a doofy kid in love, desperately and happily. And love just makes him happy in general.]

Then you should say it. Say it loud and proud and revel in that ridiculousness. I think it's the best feeling in the world, and screw whoever thinks you shouldn't feel it too.