Page 142 of My Favorite Hero

I never asked. Mom always said no. But Lou smiled in understanding. “You have to love him.”

“I do.”

“Then be brave, Casey.”

A moment later, I held the bunny.

It had been with me through every move and still sat on my dresser. I had forgotten where it came from. Until now.

I looked at Jesse and saw the love. His desire. His need.

“I want you.”

He cupped my cheek. “Why? Tell me why, Pix.”

I swallowed, my voice shaking, my body trembling as I gave in to what I wanted. What I needed.

“I love you.”

Instantly, I was in his arms. Held tight to his chest as I wept. He scooped me up and carried me inside, holding me close. He let me cry, and I knew he was weeping too.

“I’m not letting you go, Pix. I’ll come with you. Nothing matters if you’re not with me.”

“I didn’t want to leave you. I was just too scared to believe. To ask.”

He pressed a kiss to my wet cheek. “You have me. I promise.”

“I love you,” I said again.

His smile was like sunshine after a rainstorm. Bright, beautiful. Mine.

“I love you,” he replied. “We’ll figure it all out.”

I buried my head into his neck.

“Okay.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

JESSE

Ipaced, hating the fact that I had agreed to let Casey make the phone call on her own. She had decided to turn down the offer, deciding her dream had changed. She no longer wanted to roam, searching for something. To move constantly. She wanted to stay here with me. Run her business. Be here with me—always.

And she loved me.

We’d talked until we were hoarse. So exhausted we could barely stand. We fell into bed together, holding each other, and slept.

I woke up with her beside me, her hand on my heart.

The heart that was now truly hers.

We had coffee and made some plans. I wanted to move her in to my side right away. She practically lived here anyway. Then I wanted to start on tearing down the walls and refitting the house to have as our home. The first real home she had known as a child would become her permanent place for the rest of her life.

With me.

She walked through the closet, looking contemplative. She met my gaze, hers thoughtful but calm.

“What did he say? How did he take it?”