The kiss wasn't desperate like some of the others we'd shared before. It wasn't fueled by confusion or uncertainty or borrowed time, but something steadier.
Something that felt suspiciously like coming home.
Seth's fingers curled into the front of my shirt as he moved closer, and I wrapped my arm around him instinctively, pulling him against me.
He fit there perfectly, I realized with startling clarity.
When we finally pulled apart, neither of us moved very far. Seth rested his forehead against mine, smiling that small smile I was beginning to suspect could ruin me.
"You know," he said softly, "for someone who usually has a lot of things to say, you're surprisingly quiet."
I huffed out a laugh. "I'm having a moment."
"A moment?" Seth asked.
"A pretty significant one."
His smile widened. "Good. Me too.”
I kissed him once more, unable to help myself.
This time Seth laughed against my mouth, and the sound followed us all the way back toward my cabin. As we walked, I understood something.
My brothers hadn't moved on without me. I hadn't missed my chance, I chose my place, and my place was with Seth.
The cabin looked different when arrived. After weeks of repair, it finally looked finished. Complete. The porch light glowed warmly against the gathering darkness.
Seth slipped his hand into mine as we walked toward the front door. I squeezed back. At the top of the steps I pulled him gently closer. The porch light illuminated his smile.
Seth leaned in and rested his forehead against mine.
"Ready?" I asked.
Seth smiled. "Yeah."
Then I opened the door and led him inside. He stopped just beyond the threshold.
The scent of fresh wood lingered faintly beneath the familiar smells of home. New flooring stretched through the living room.
The stone fireplace had finally been completed. The walls had fresh paint. Furniture actually matched instead of looking like I'd collected it from a series of unfortunate yard sales.
Seth slowly turned in a circle. "Huh."
“What?” I asked.
"Huh," he said again.
"That's all I get?"
He laughed. "I was expecting something less..."
His gaze swept around the room.
"Functional?" I put a hand over my chest. "That was rude."
"It was accurate."
"It was rude and accurate." Seth grinned.
