Chapter Twenty-Seven
He didn’t wantanyone else.She knew it was true.She didn’t want anyone else either.
“How have you felt since we broke up?”he asked.“Have you been happy?”
“No.I’ve been miserable.”
“So have I.It doesn’t make sense that we’ve both been miserable because we’re apart.When we could be happy together.”
“I swore after my parents died that I wouldn’t ever risk loving someone.Not like they did.”
“You were a kid, Letty.Now you’re an adult.Do you really think if something happened to one of us that either one of us would be okay, even though we’re not together?I know I sure as hell wouldn’t be.I love you, Letty.Together or apart, I love you.”
“I love you too.I tried really hard not to, but I do.”
“Then what’s stopping you from being with me?”
Her eyes welled.Tears ran down her face.“I want to.”She sniffed.“But I’m scared.”
“Because you think you’ll lose me like you did your parents.”
“I might.What if I did?”
“What if you didn’t?What if we got together and everything worked out?”
“You think I’m being foolish.”
He shook his head and took her hand.“I think you’re scared, just like you said you were.But Letty, you can’t live your life being afraid of what could happen in the future.Because then you’ll never have what we could have now.Wouldn’t it be better to be together for however long it lasts than never to be together?We love each other, Letty.That’s a gift.”
“I know it is.”
“You know, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing,” Riley said.
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m not saying we have to get married immediately.Or get engaged either.Why can’t we just be together and enjoy what we have now without worrying about the future?”
“Would you be content with that?”
“For as long as you need.”
“Liar.I know you.You’ll be subtly pushing to get married after a week.”
He smiled.The one that made her want to kiss him.Who was she kidding?He didn’t have to do anything for her to want to kiss him.“I’ll try not to rush you.”
“Are you crossing your fingers behind your back?”she asked suspiciously.
He laughed.“No.I promise I’ll try to be patient.”
“I love Babette,” she said, speaking of the dog he’d given her.“But every time I see her, I think of you.I think you knew that would happen and did it on purpose.”
“I got her because I didn’t want you to be lonely.And because you needed a dog to love.But I’ll admit, knowing that’s how you feel makes me very happy.”
Her heart swelled.She was still afraid, but she was hopeful.Riley was right.She couldn’t live her life worried about what would happen in the future.It was time she faced the future with hope instead of fear.“I love you, Riley.”
He put his arms around her and kissed her.His tongue swept her mouth, and she tangled hers with it.It was the sweetest, most perfect kiss she’d ever had.
“I told you it would work!”
