Page 137 of The Golden Hour

It’s because she believes him.

“Let’s go inside,” Mason says, “I’d like to see Daisy.”

“Good luck prying her from Mimi’s arms,” Honey says.

“She loves her daddy,” Mason says, lifting his chin in an exaggerated motion and making Honey giggle. “Of course, I can always just swipe Ellie and bribe her.”

“You don’t play fair.”

“In regards to her—or you,” Mason winks. “Never.”

Honey throws her head back and laughs, the joy of the day, the buzzing of this moment, the hope she’s feeling giving her a giddy feeling. When she looks back at Mason, he’s staring right at her, a smile on his face.

The joyful moment doesn’t leave. It just softens.

“Mason…” Honey says, squeezing his hand. “Thank you.”

The smile from his face drops.

“Don’t thank me for finally choosing you, Honey.” Mason shakes his head. “It was as natural as breathing for me. It’s shameful that something so easy took me so long to actually do.”

“But still,” Honey stresses. “Thank you for trying.”

Mason freezes.

“Thank you for working to earn forgiveness,” Honey says. “Thank you for doing the work. Thank you for finally waking up. Thank you for standing up for me. Thank you for not giving up… Thank you for listening to what I need.”

Mason looks wrecked, his eyes pooling before he kisses her hand again.

It’s that sight that makes Honey open her mouth.

“I…” love you.

It’s on the tip of her tongue, and she wants to say it so badly, wants to leap into his arms and kiss him. She misses him so much—the night he spent in her bed was amazing torture. Holding his hand, feeling his warmth, smelling him, wanting to burrow into his embrace.

But she didn’t.

And she won’t know.

“I’m hungry,” Honey says.

“What are you in the mood for, Honey?” Mason smiles happily. “I’ll get you whatever you want.”

Honey hums. “Now I like the sound of that…”

Mason chuckles.

She doesn’t tell him she loves him.

Not yet.

Because there’s no rush.

And as they walk back to the house, still holding each other’s hands, Honey breathes easier.

They have all the time in the world.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT