“How?”
“Because I—” I stop myself, but she’s looking at me with those green eyes, and I can’t lie to her. “Because I’m already falling for you, and if you stay for me and end up resenting it, I don’t think I’ll survive that twice.”
The words hang between us, crystallizing in the cold air.
Chloe closes the distance between us in two steps. “What if I’m already falling too?”
“Don’t say that unless you mean it.”
“I mean it.” Her voice is steady, sure. “I definitely mean it, Jonah. I’m falling for you. For the twins. For this life. I’ve never wanted anything more.”
I should be careful. Should protect myself. Should remember all the reasons this is complicated.
Instead, I reach up and cup her face with both hands. “If we do this —if we try this— it’s not temporary. I need you to know that. I can’t do casual. Not with you.”
“I don’t want casual.” She leans into my touch. “I want real. I want this.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m terrified,” she admits. “But I’m sure.”
That’s all I need to hear.
I kiss her.
It’s not gentle or soft. It’s urgent and desperate and full of weeks of wanting and needing. She tastes like hot chocolate and possibility, and when she makes a soft sound against my mouth, every thought in my head evaporates exceptmoreandmineandfinally.
Her hands fist in my jacket, pulling me closer, and I’m drowning in her, in the way she kisses like she means it, like she’s claiming me as much as I’m claiming her.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“Wow,” she whispers.
“Yeah.” I rest my forehead against hers. “I agree, wow.”
“So... we’re doing this?”
“We’re doing this.” I pull back enough to see her face. “But we need to be smart about it. Talk to the twins together. Make sure they understand?—”
“That I’m staying,” Chloe finishes. “Not just for a few months. That I’m choosing this. Choosing them. Choosing you.”
Choosing us.
The words settle into my chest, warm and certain and right.
“I need to call Mrs. Henderson,” Chloe says suddenly. “Tell her I’m withdrawing my application for the teaching position.”
“Are you sure? Valentine Elementary might not have an opening until?—”
“I’ll substitute. I’ll wait. I’ll work the bakery. I don’t care.” She kisses me again, quick and sweet. “I’m not going anywhere.” Her urgency sparks mine to escalate.
“I’m not letting you go.”
From the house, I hear Mia yelling, “Grandma! Daddy’s kissing Chloe!”
We both freeze.
Then Ava’s voice echoes through the backyard, “Does a kiss mean she’s staying forever?”
