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“You think?”
He kissed my cheek. “I’ll be thinking about you, and I promise, I won’t check in on you. I’ll leave you alone.”
I wasn’t sure if that comforted or saddened me. “Thank you.”
I was faced with a decision no man on earth had ever faced before me—and I was torn. Only one of the options he presented would provide me with any form of happiness.
I just wasn’t sure I could accept it.
“And now I’ll take you home,” he murmured.
“I did do the right thing, didn’t I? Telling you how I felt?” Because right then I wasn’t so sure.
“You did. Always say what’s in your heart.”
“Even if saying it has… consequences?”
He cupped my face. “Yes. I know I said no pressure, but… Someone brought us together. We’remeantto be together. I believe that.”
So did I.
“And that means I’m going to spend this year in hope.” He met my gaze. “Because that’s all I can do.”
“Then take me home. I have a lot of thinking to do.”
And a year to do it in.
The Present
Midnight struck, and my heartbeat quickened.It’s time.
Nicholas appeared in my living room, blinking into existence, looking more anxious than I’d ever seen him before. “Hey.”
I forced a smile. “Hey you.” I walked over to him with none of my usual fervor and impatience, and kissed him, my hands cupping his face. “Missed you.”
Our foreheads touched. “In all of my existence, I don’t think I’ve ever spent a year in such torment. So many times I wanted to see how you were doing…”
“But you didn’t.” Somehow I’d known that.
“You’re right, I didn’t.” He swallowed. “I need to know. Please, don’t make me wait a second longer.”
I took a deep breath. “I spent tonight thinking about all the times we’ve shared. So many memories.” I bit my lip. “And once we got started, alotof sex.”
He laughed softly.
“I thought about other things too. Not seeing your sweet face, not hearing your laugh, not lying in your arms listening to music, talking about books and movies… I thought about not experiencing the joy I’d found in our lovemaking.”
What it all came down to was… there would never be another man for me. I knew that, balls to bones.
And in that moment I made my decision.
“I’ll come with you.”
He froze. “Say that again?”
I smiled. “I’m coming with you.”
His eyes lit up. His face glowed. And then he seized me in a bone-crunching hug that took my breath away. “Oh my God. I hoped. I really hoped.”
