Page 223 of His Reckoning

“I don’t understand,” she whispers.

“I do,” I say. “For the first time … I do.” I let that settle. “Because I love you.”

The words land between us. No hesitation or desire to take them back.

Her breath catches sharply while her body goes still, like everything in her just stopped trying to brace for the worst.

“What?” she breathes.

“I love you,” I repeat. “I didn’t realize how much until I thought I lost you.”

Her eyes fill again. This time, she doesn’t fight it.

“I don’t want a version of my life where you’re not in it,” I continue. “Not the quiet. Not the chaos. Not even the way you treat my refrigerator like it’s a personal challenge.”

A small, broken laugh escapes her.

“I’m serious,” I say. “You don’t get to walk away from me that easily.”

She shakes her head slightly, still overwhelmed. “You told me to leave.”

“I made a mistake.” I step closer. Close enough now that there’s no space left between us. “And I’m done letting my fear make those decisions.”

Her voice is barely above a whisper. “You think reading my book in front of a room full of strangers fixes your fears though?”

“No,” I say. “But it’s just the beginning.”

Her eyes search mine again, looking for doubt, but I know she doesn’t find it.

“And what happens next?” she asks softly.

I don’t even hesitate. “This.”

I reach for her slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wants to. She doesn’t.

My hand settles at her waist, steady and certain, pulling her just slightly closer.

“This is my reckoning,” I say quietly while her breath catches again. “With you.” I continue, “I’m not walking away from that.”

She exhales shakily, and then finally—finally—she leans into me.

And everything that’s felt wrong suddenly clicks back into place. Exactly where it should’ve been all along.

THE END

Epilogue

Kayla

The apartment feels full. It’s not crowded or overwhelming… just full.

Voices overlap from the kitchen, laughter spilling into the living room as Colton argues with Sawyer about something that sounds like business but is definitely not important enough to warrant the level of intensity they’re giving it.

Melissa is leaning against the counter, wine glass in hand, shaking her head like she’s seen this exact argument play out a hundred times before.

“Tell me again,” she says dryly, “how either of you think you’re right.”

“Iamright,” Sawyer says at the same time Colton says, “He’s wrong.”