Page 189 of Key West Homecoming

Relief.

Hearing him say it finally allowed her to stop holding back the part of herself that already knew the truth.

“I love you too.”

Jake’s eyes closed for a second.

Emma smiled through her tears.

“I think I’ve been falling in love with you for a while.”

Jake lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

Emma looked at the phone still in his other hand.

“If you’re ready, send it.”

He looked down at the email.

Then he looked back at Emma.

“I’m ready.”

Jake pressed send.

Emma understood what that small motion had cost him. The email wasn’t permission to love her. Jake didn’t need permission from Nancy, Nora or anyone else.

It was something more personal than that.

He was allowing the life he had lost and the life he was building to exist together.

Emma leaned toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jake kissed her.

They stayed on the bench long after the street around them quieted. Emma rested against him and listened to his breathing while the last of the noise from Margarita Max’s drifted down the block.

At some point, she realized it was after midnight.

Neither of them seemed in any hurry to leave.

CHAPTER 30

Nancy answered early the next morning.

Jake read the email at the kitchen counter while Emma made coffee. When he finished, he handed her his phone.

Jake,

I didn’t send you that check as a memorial. I sent it because the money came out of my daughter dying, and I couldn’t bear to keep it. I know why you put it away. I probably would have done the same thing.

But you’re a young man with a lot of years ahead of you, and what I wanted for you then is what I want for you now. A life. I’m grateful you’ve stayed in touch with me these last three years, and I hope you always will.

Buy the house.

You don’t need my permission to live your life. I’m going to assume you weren’t asking for it. You were telling me that something good has finally happened, and I’m glad you did.

I have no doubt Emma is a lovely woman. If you love her, that tells me everything I need to know. I hope the two of you are very happy.