“More than anything.”
“Then prove it. Come home. Tell him you’re all in. Tell him you choose him, choose those girls, choose the life you’ve been too scared to claim.” Carol’s voice is fierce now. “And if he’s stubborn about it —which he will be, because he’s a Westerland man, God love ‘em— you fight for him. You show him that you’re not going anywhere. That you’re finally ready to trust what you have.”
I sit up, wiping my eyes. “What if it’s too late?”
“It’s never too late for real love. But Chloe? You need to mean it this time. No backup plans. No job applications in other cities. No exit strategy. You need to be all in.”
“I am. I will be.” The certainty fills my chest, warm and solid. “I’m all in.”
“Good. Then what are you still doing in Billings?”
I look at the apartment building, at the life I was about to settle for because I was too scared to reach for the one I actually wanted.
“I don’t know,” I say chuckling and starting my car. “But I’m leaving right now.”
Carol laughs, and I can hear the relief in it. “Drive safe, sweetheart. And Chloe? When you get here, don’t just tell him you love him. Show him. Make him believe it.”
“I will. Thank you, Carol.”
“Thank you for loving my son. For loving my granddaughters.” Her voice is thick with emotion. “Welcome home, honey.”
I hang up and pull out of the parking lot, leaving Billings —and my fear— behind me.
I don’t know if Jonah will forgive me. Don’t know if I can undo the damage I’ve done.
But I know I have to try.
Because Carol’s right. I’d rather risk everything for a chance at happy ever after than spend my life wondering what could have been.
I choose Jonah. I choose Ava and Mia.
I choose us.
Chapter 16
Chloe
I makeit back to Valentine in record time, my heart pounding the entire three-hour drive.
It’s almost six in the evening when I pull onto Sweethearts Lane, a name that has a different meaning now. My hands are shaking on the steering wheel. I have a speech prepared —fifteen different versions that I practiced out loud in the car— but they all disappear when I see Jonah’s truck in the driveway.
And then I see the rest.
There are lights strung across the porch. Not Christmas lights— white twinkle lights, the kind that look like stars. The flower boxes I noticed that first day, the ones that were empty and snow-covered, are now filled with winter greenery and white roses.
On the porch steps, there’s a trail of white rose petals.
My breath catches.
I park and get out slowly, following the petals up the steps. They lead to the front door, where there’s a note taped to the wood.
I’m coming for you. -J
My hand flies to my mouth.
The door opens before I can knock, and Jonah stands there in jeans and a button-down shirt, car keys in his hand, looking as shocked to see me as I am to see the roses.
“Chloe?” His voice is rough, disbelieving. “Hi…”
