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He swallows. “Love. Yes.” His chest deflates and his arms and hands flap at his sides.

“You love me?” I press my lips in on one another. Love?

“Yes, Rosalie. I’ve loved you for a long time. I never said it because I knew it might freak you out. I know Robert was the last guy who told you that and⁠—”

I press one finger to his lips, quieting him. Now is not the time to talk about the ex. My heart thuds in my chest, longing to hear him say it one more time, maybe without the growl. “Say it again.”

He grins beneath my finger, and I slowly curl it back, dropping my hand to my side. “Rosalie Noreen Conrad⁠—”

I press my finger to his lips once more and shake my head. “Nope. Sounds too much like a proposal.”

He smothers a laugh, then gently pulls my hand from his face. He laces his left fingers through my right and cups my cheek with his opposite hand. His clear blue eyes search mine for only a second. “My darling, Rose. I love you.”

It’s a wonder that I’m still on my feet. My knees have gone weak and my legs might be numb. My heart patters with his name—Zev-Zev, Zev-Zev. Three little words, but they’re like a sonnet, like a song, like a ballad that Elton John sings while some sexy saxophone player makes magic in the background.

So… my daydream needs a little work.

“I love you,” I say without even a thought. I just feel it. And I mean it—more than I’ve ever meant anything. The best man I’ve ever known loves me. How could I not love him back?

Zev’s hand cradles the back of my head. He closes in, his nose brushing mine before he places one soft kiss to my lips. “Does this mean you’ll meet my mother?”

I kiss him in return—it isn’t a yes, but it isn’t a no either. It’s simply a way to shut him up.

Thirty-Four

Present Day

My multitasking skills have grown. I’m following Darwin’s instructions at PT while texting Noreen. It’s a feat.

Me: I know. It was late.

Noreen: On the contrary, it was quite early.

Noreen: I was understanding when you accidentally introduced my granddaughter to a nude gentleman during your Fourth of July celebration, but six in the morning? Zev.

Me: Introduce? There was no introduction. There was accidental viewing of a man in his underwear.

Noreen: Oh, I know.

Me: Well, then you know that none of that was my fault. I’ve never seen that guy before. It was some weird freak chance.

Noreen: So easily stirred.

Me: Excuse me?

Noreen: I’m teasing you, Zev. I’m not going to tell you I approve of my granddaughter staying out kissing men until all hours of the morning. But then, if that man is you, I suppose I don’t disapprove either.

Me: Thanks.

I guess. What else does one say to that?

Me: Did she say anything else? How is she feeling?

Noreen: She came home with that smile. You know the one that reaches her eyes?

Me: She did?

Noreen: Yes, Zev. She did.