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“I’m going to stay awake, too.”

“I love you so much, Zarek,” she said. Her eyes searched mine.

I reached up and curled my hand around her neck, guiding her down to me. I molded our mouths together. Kiss number three. So much feeling went with the velvet softness of Chloe’s lips. This was a forever kiss. It went on and on and on.

She stroked the side of my cheek and pulled away.

“Hey, I didn’t say you could stop.”

“You’re going to have visitors soon.” She looked away from me.

“They can wait. I need another kiss.”

She stood up and turned towards the door. I lunged and grabbed her hand.

“What?” She asked as she turned back towards me.

“Come back here. I wasn’t done with you.”

She gave me an over-bright smile. I recognized it. It was the Avery girl fake smile. I tugged her closer, forcing her to sit beside me on the bed. Then I tangled our fingers together so that our palms were pressed together.

“You’re my life,” I said solemnly.

She looked at me in confusion.

“Saying I love you just doesn’t cut it. Do you hear me, Chloe Rose? I love you.” I saw her bottom lip tremble.

“You do?”

How could she ever doubt me?

“If you ever left me, half of my soul would be ripped away. You’re my life. I’ve loved you since you were a gutsy little girl, I’ve loved you when you were a gangly teenager, and I’ve always loved my best friend. You’re my soulmate. Never leave me.”

Her mouth opened, then closed. Her eyes glossed with tears.

“Zarek, you have too much faith in me. You’ve seen how much of a mess I can be. How broken I can get.” She tried to pull away from me.

“I’ve seen a woman who has gone through hell and worked hard to get her life back. You fucking amaze me. You’re stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“But―”

“Seriously, Cupcake, if you keep coming up with excuses, I’m going to think you don’t want a future with me. Is that what this is about?” I held my breath.

I watched as her smile turned radiant. “A future?”

“A future. I want to build a life with you, Chloe.”

I could see the wheels turning in her head. Protests forming, then rejected. Then final blessed acceptance. Thank the Lord.

“I’m going to want kids,” she warned.

My smile got big. “I like kids.”

“We might end up with twins.”

“Is this a yes?”

“I haven’t heard a question.” Her shining eyes sparkled down at me.