Page 126 of Finding Forever

Her smile returned. “That you’re stubborn.”

Despite the ache gathering in his chest, Dave almost laughed. “That’s a great start.”

“I told him you’re annoying sometimes, too.”

Dave leaned back in his chair. “Did you say anything positive?”

A small laugh escaped her. The sound loosened something inside him.

“Yes.” Her expression softened. “I told him you’re kind. And patient. And that you’re a good person.”

Dave looked away for a moment. He hadn’t expected those words to affect him so much, not after all this time. When he looked back, she was watching him.

“I told Jessie something else,” Beth said.

Dave waited.

Her eyes filled with tears. “I told him that I love you.”

Dave’s fingers tightened around the edge of his chair. He’d imagined hearing those words more times than he cared to admit, usually late at night when common sense had deserted him and hope had taken its place.

In every one of those imaginary conversations, he’d known exactly what to say. Now his mind was completely blank.

Beth held his gaze. “I love you, Dave.”

He stared at her. “You love me?”

Her mouth trembled into a smile. “I do.”

A breath escaped him that was almost a laugh. Then he stood.

Beth rose, too.

Dave crossed the small distance between them, but stopped before touching her. He wanted to believe her. More than anything, he wanted to take her into his arms and never let her go.

But there was one thing he needed to know. “What changed?”

“Nothing.”

Dave frowned slightly.

Beth reached for his hand. “That’s what took me so long to understand.” Her fingers curled around his. “Nothing had to change.”

Dave waited.

“Jessie will always be part of me,” she said softly. “But loving you doesn’t take anything away from what we had.”

“No,” Dave murmured. “It doesn’t.”

“I really know that now.”

He searched her face. “Are you sure?”

“Completely.”

One word. That was all he needed. Dave lifted his free hand and gently touched her cheek. Beth leaned into his palm, closing her eyes for the briefest moment.

He’d missed this. He’d missed more than he’d allowed himself to admit.