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Suddenly, I can see all of the years ahead of us unfurling, and excitement fills me. I haven’t felt alive in four years. Haven’t wanted anything. I’ve just been a shell, existing.
Now with Susie here, I’m starting to come back to life. I’m beginning to hope and dream and love. There’s so much love in my heart for this woman.
“But wait, there’s more,” she says and produces a sprig of mistletoe.
I chuckle and press my lips to hers. But the sweet kiss I meant for it to be quickly turns hot as I grab her hips and seal her body against mine.
I’m so lost in this woman and her kiss that I don’t hear a car pull up outside or my front door opening until it’s too late. The two of us spring apart to see Mackenzie and Ace coming inside.
“Surprise,” Mackenzie says weakly. “We found a way to get home.”
Ace sends me an apologetic look and mouths,I didn’t know.Of course he didn’t know.
Mackenzie steps into the room and looks at the tree. “It’s pretty.”
“Right. You guys probably want to celebrate together,” Susie says softly, reaching for her jacket. “I’ll just be…”
“Susie,” I call her name.
She shakes her head and darts around me to the front door before I can stop her. If she thinks she can just walk out of my life, she’s crazy. Susie is meant to be mine, and I’m going to show her that.
* * *
Susie
“Susie!”Rogue races after me.
I keep my head down and trudge forward. I knew it was too good to be true. I never should’ve gone and fallen in love with Rogue. When will I ever learn that I’m not the girl who’s wanted?
Rogue’s voice carries on the wind, and I will myself not to look back. If I do, I might just beg him to let me stay, to give me the family I’ve been craving.
He catches up to me and captures me in his arms.
“Let me go,” I tell him, not bothering to wipe at my face and hide the tear tracks.
“Never,” Rogue says fiercely.
I swallow hard against the thick tears in my throat. “I can’t do this. You have a family, people who love you.”
Rogue says, “I do have a family. And you are a part of it.”
I gasp at his words, my heart pounding painfully against my ribcage. “I don’t know what I’ll do when you decide to get rid of me. I’m not perfect. I’m messy and chaotic.”
“I don’t care about any of that. I want you, Susie, just as you are. I love you.”
For a moment, everything stops. I push my hair from my face. “You love me?” I repeat, wonder and awe filling my voice.
He reaches into the pocket of his blue jeans and produces a jewelry box. “I picked this up today. Had the Kringles pass it to me.”
Tears are filling my eyes again. “Rogue…”
He reaches out and squeezes my arm. “Wait, let me get this out. I love you, Susie. I want you to be my wife. I want forever with you. I want to build a family with you. I know I’m a bit older than you, but no one will ever love you more than I do.”
“I love you too,” I whisper.
A relieved grin lights up his face. He opens the box and pulls out the ring, gently sliding it on my finger. “I’m taking that as a yes.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “It is definitely a yes from me.”
