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Breck took her hand, kissed her palm, and folded her fingers around his. “And after that, we can leave and I’ll show you exactly how much I’ve missed you.”
“I can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas,” she said, reluctantly pulling him into the hallway.
The smile he gave her was dazzling. “Nor can I, my darling. Nor can I.”
Epilogue
“Are you okay?” Breck asked as he carried a taped-up box into their new apartment. Caitie was standing at the window, staring out at the view. He put the box down by the door, next to the others, and walked over to her, sliding his arms around her waist. She leaned back against him, her silken hair brushing against his jaw.
“I’m more than okay,” she said, a smile in her voice. “I was thinking about how far we’ve come.”
He followed her gaze across the rooftops of Angel Sands, past Main Street and the boardwalk, to the beach below. Though they were half a mile away from the coastline, Breck still held her close, wanting to protect her from her fears.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” he asked, nodding at the window. “There are apartments without ocean views in this building. We could trade.”
She shook her head. “We’re not trading. And I’m good with the view.” She turned her head to look at him. “It’s pretty.”
God, he loved every part of her. Her vulnerabilities and her strengths, her optimism and her determination. For the past six months, while she’d been living in L.A. and he’d been here in Angel Sands, he’d watched as she battled her demons.
And won.
Now here they were, moving in together, and though this apartment was new, it felt like coming home. There was a warmth in his body that had nothing to do with the sun beating down outside, but everything to do with this woman in his arms.
She completed him. And wasn’t that a crazy thing? He hadn’t known there was a hole in his heart until she’d filled it. Hadn’t realized what he was missing until the moment he’d laid eyes on her in the Beach Club.
And now here they were, moving in together. Blending their lives the same way they’d already blended their hearts. He dipped his head to press his lips against hers, marveling at how sweet she always tasted.
“This is the last one,” Lucas called out. When he spotted them embracing by the window his voice lowered. “Guys, can you get a room? Caitie’s still my sister.”
“They got an apartment,” Ember said, following close behind him. “And you’re going to have to get over the ick. Look how in love they are.” She grinned at Breck and Caitie as they pulled apart. “They make my heart melt.”
Breck grinned at Caitie as he stepped away. “Beer?” he asked Lucas.
“Yeah. That would be good.” Lucas followed him into the spacious kitchen, where every surface was covered with boxes. They’d already unpacked their emergency supplies – coffee, milk, sodas, and beer, along with a few glasses and mugs. Breck grabbed two beers from the refrigerator and popped the caps, passing one to Lucas.
“You doing okay?” he asked, eyeing Lucas warily. He knew how hard this was for him. His protective streak was strong when it came to his sister, and it had taken him a while to warm up to their relationship.
Lucas took a long mouthful of beer. “I am now,” he said when he’d swallowed it down. “I’ve been thinking about this all day.”
“Thanks for helping us move. It means a lot to us both.” Breck lifted his own beer t
o his lips and swallowed it down. “And you know I’m never going to hurt her. Not again. I promise you that.”
“I know you won’t,” Lucas said, his voice thick. He tapped his brow with his fingers. “At least I do up here.” He moved his hands down to his chest. “But in here, she’s still my kid sister, you know? It’s taking some time for me to accept she’s all grown up.”
Through the kitchen door, Breck could see Harper walking into the hallway, carrying an armful of curtains. He lifted a hand to wave at her and she grinned back. Another person who was still getting used to Breck and Caitie moving in together.
“Cait’s my life,” he told Lucas. “I feel as protective of her as you do. Whatever it takes to make her happy, that’s what I’ll do. You don’t have to worry about us.”
Lucas nodded and put his bottle down on the countertop. “That’s good to know,” he said, pressing his lips together. “Because there’s somebody else I’m going to need to worry about soon.”
Breck tipped his head to the side, a smile playing around his lips. “Who?”
Lucas gave a little laugh, leaning back on the counter. “I’m gonna be a dad. Another seven months and everything changes.”
There was a huge squeal from the living room. A moment later, Caitie ran into the kitchen and tackle-hugged Lucas, the biggest grin on her face, Ember and Harper following behind. “Oh my god!” she said, almost jumping with delight. “I can’t believe my big brother’s going to be a daddy. That’s the best news ever.”
Lucas turned to him with a raised brow. “You need to watch yourself, my friend. She has the hearing of an elephant. Nothing gets past my sister.”
