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“You say that now, but it’s like the divorced gal who finally finds someone to love—she doesn’t tell her new boyfriend about her crazy train ex until she has to. I didn’t want you to walk away before we started.”
“But we started,” he murmured.
“Yeah, but when things got serious between us, I didn’t tell you because you were leaving.”
“Addy,” he whispered against her hair, “don’t you know I want to know all of you? Can’t you see how much I care?”
She nodded. “I should have told you about the threats, should have shared what I knew about Robbie, about his profile and why he wasn’t going to stop. I could have protected Charlotte. I never should have let her stay here knowing Robbie was out there.”
“But you couldn’t have known he’d come tonight.”
She shook her head. “But I could have spared her the trauma. She’s going to be scared for a long time, and that breaks my heart.”
“She’s young, and she’s learned there are people who won’t let evil win. Robbie is history—they’ll put him away for a long time.”
“I hope,” she said, her voice fading.
“And if he ever gets out, I’ll kill him.”
“And how will you know? You won’t be here.” Addy pressed her mouth into a line.
“I’ll know. I love you, Addy, and if he even thinks to harm one hair on your head, he will regret ever being born.”
Lifting a trembling hand to bruised cheek, she looked away. “You love me?”
Lucas turned her face gently so her whiskey eyes met his. “I do. I didn’t expect it, and I know things aren’t ideal, but I can’t deny the way I feel. It’s okay if you don’t feel the same, but one thing I’ve learned over the past few weeks is when you have the chance to say I love you, you should take it. I’m not asking you to-”
“Shut up,” she said, jerking his head down and rising on her tiptoes so she could kiss him.
Lucas felt something inside him release as their lips met. He didn’t know if it was because his rollicking emotions had been granted reprieve or if the adrenaline high had faded or if the searing anger for the man who’d hit his Addy had been abated, but at that moment, he was content. He accepted what had been growing inside him for the past week, the knowledge he and Addy were meant to be together. And though it might be hard to figure out how their relationship would logistically work, he would make sure they stayed together.
Softly, he kissed her, cradling her face in his hands, embracing the love swelling inside.
She ended the kiss and stared up at him, her eyes velvet in the low counter light. “I love you, too, Lucas. I do. I was stupid the other night. Too scared to trust you. I’m sorry.”
“I understand. But, listen—I don’t want to waste any more time denying you were made for me, and me for you.”
For several moments they held each other. Finally, Lucas gave Addy a squeeze. “This might be both the worst and best night of my life.”
Addy reached up and brushed her hand against his face. “Weird, but true.”
“Grammy and Gramps!” Charlotte shouted from the living room where she sat with Flora.
Lucas sighed. “Miles to go before I sleep.”
“And that’s why I love you. You can bake brownies, clean up vomit, and recite Robert Frost.”
Lucas’s eyes sparked. “Who are you talking about? I’m a tough cowboy. I eat little kids for breakfast. Brownies aren’t even in my vocabulary. Maybe we better get those paramedics to come back and check your noggin ’cause you think you’re in love with Mr. Mom.”
“I’ll take both the guys inside of you as long as you’ll take the Addy who dresses in frumpy clothes along with the Addy who doesn’t wear underwear beneath them.”
“Fine, but I want more of the second Addy.” He took her hand and it fit like a key in a lock.
In truth, Addy Toussant had been made for him.
Addy spent the night at the Finlay house, wrapped in Lucas’s arms on the couch. Since Flora hadn’t wanted to sleep in her house alone, and Addy was unwilling to leave the protection of Lucas’s arms, her aunt went home with Addy’s parents while a still freaked out Charlotte loaded up with Lucas’s parents. That left Addy and Lucas with a not-so-surly-anymore teen and a jubilant motocross champ of the junior division. Since everyone was exhausted by the night’s drama, all crashed and slept until the doorbell woke them.
Lucas didn’t move at the insistent sound, so Addy struggled from the depths of the plush couch to answer the door. Looking out the keyhole, she found Lucas’s mother standing on the stoop holding balloons and a cake. Charlotte skipped up and down the front pavers, looking none the worse for wear. Thank God.
