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“Kaitlyn,” I warned.
“I’m serious. I love you. And I love Grayson. And I love Ryan. They don’t have be mutually exclusive. I can love all three of you.”
God, where had she been all these years? This girl who had turned into an incredible woman. Her heart was capable of only seeing the good in people. She could love unconditionally. She had taken on the world this week and she never protested.
“I love you.”
She smiled. “Really?”
“I love you.” My hands wound around her back. “So I guess that means we’re going to tell Ryan.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “Thank God. Because I can’t leave without you.”
I pressed my forehead to hers. “I know, baby.”
I felt as if we were getting ready to enter a hurricane, but I couldn’t let her go. And I wouldn’t.
32
Kai
tlyn
There were probably better ways to do this, but I held Cole’s hand as we stood on my parents’ front porch. He looked at me.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded. Grayson was asleep on Cole’s shoulder. The flight from Texas had worn him out.
It was a scrambled mess to leave the Dunes, especially at the height of vacationers, but Lance had stepped up. Lisa offered to take a few morning shifts and her sister could watch Tassels.
Hank had a repairman on call if there were any emergencies. Once Cole made the decision, he was all in. No matter what, we were doing this together.
My chest prickled. I exhaled. “Ok.”
I knocked as I pushed the door opened. “Mom? Dad?” I called. “We’re here.”
I heard my dad’s heavy footsteps in the hallway before he entered the foyer.
“Sweetheart.” His eyes dropped from my face to our clutched hands. “Cole?”
“Sir.” He reached forward to shake my dad’s hand. “Good to see you.”
I bit my lip. This was round one. “Dad, where’s mom?”
“Working on potato salad. What’s going on?” I realized he was speaking softer because of Grayson.
“I’d rather do this as few times as possible,” I explained.
Cole squeezed my shoulder and followed me to the kitchen.
“Honey.” My mom rounded the kitchen island and hugged me. “And Cole.” She beamed. “It’s been too long. I’m so glad Kaitlyn tracked you down. And look how cute Grayson is. I can’t wait to hug him.”
I blushed.
“Janet.” My dad’s voice was stern.
“What?” She looked at us.
