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He looks at me. “Something like that, yeah.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” I reply thickly. “No one gets any kind of guarantee that things will work out and life won’t blindside you the way y’all were blindsided. But there’s also no guarantee that lifewillunravel. You just—you move forward in faith that whatever comes your way, you can handle it. And if you can’t, you hope the people in your life will help you out until you’re back on your feet.”
Abel pulls into his garage. Through a nearby window, I glimpse Tai and Cher already waiting for us at the front door, tails wagging.
“Faith.” Abel takes a sharp inhale. His eyes lock on mine. “That’s the piece of the puzzle I’ve been missing. I never told you I fell in love with you when you were in college because I thought I’d hurt you. I never made you mine because I wanted you to have the happy ending I was sure I couldn’t give you.”
My heart seizes. For a second I thought I’ve misheard him. “Wait. Are you—oh my God, Abel, I?—”
“But being with you now—Jenny, you’ve shown me how lonely I’ve been and how much that sucks. More than that, you’ve shown me love is worth the risk. You, your brother, your dad, all of y’all have this incredible belief in me to make miracles happen and now... guess I’m a believer too.”
My heart is in my throat now, clogging my windpipe as it frantically drums an uneven beat. “And that miracle is...”
“Knowing I deserve to sit beside you in your minivan. It’s all I ever wanted, baby. Just never let myself want it until now.”
This feeling—the most enormous thing I’ve ever felt—rises up inside me, scooping up my stomach, heart, lungs. It’s like cresting the biggest hill on a rollercoaster, your bodyweightless for one second, two, before you plunge forward at warp-speed while screaming with joy.
It’s terrifying and exhilarating, and it makes me laugh and sob all at once.
I get what he’s saying. I’ve already processed it, if the happiness flooding my system is any indication. But I still cover my mouth and ask, “You’re really—you’ve been in love with me this whole time?”
His grin is watery. “This whole time. When you asked me about my guest room? I lied. I’ve never brought anyone home other than you. Guess I was waiting for my chance to christen my bed with you. It had to be you. It’s always been you.”
I can’t think. Can’t breathe. I can only stare at him, flattered beyond belief.
Happy beyond freaking belief.
“Good.” My voice wavers with emotion. “Because I’ve always been in love with you too.”
His brown eyes bulge. “Seriously?”
In reply, I launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck before pressing a messy, teary kiss to his mouth.
Is this happening?
Am I dreaming?
Is he a Honda Odyssey guy or a Toyota Sienna man?
“Abel, I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember.” I lick into his mouth. “I always assumed there was no way you’d be into me.”
“Are you blind, woman?” Laughter rumbles inside his chest. “I feel like everyone knew. Can’t stop looking at you when you’re around.”
I suck on his bottom lip. “I’m just jaded, I guess. I’ve been misled by so many guys...”
He glides a hand up my spine and curls it around my nape. “You’ve been disappointed for the last time. Be with me. For real. I don’t want to waste another second pretendingI don’t want you riding shotgun beside me for the rest of my life.”
I’m crying and he’s laughing and I’m not sure my body can physically contain the joy that swells inside me.
“Yes.” I kiss his nose. His neck. “I say yes, Abel.”
We make out for a while right there in the golf cart in Abel’s new garage that still smells like lumber. I straddle his lap and he squeezes my thighs, groaning when I settle my center over his crotch.
He’s hard. Already.
“Too soon to ask when we can get to the part of my confession where I tear off your clothes?” he murmurs against my lips.
“Never too soon.” I climb off his lap. I land on my feet and wobble, my legs unsteady, but Abel loops an arm around my middle to catch me.
