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His face softened with understanding. “I think that’s wise.”
“I have a lot to work on. I—” It was so hard to say it. Which told her how much it needed to be said. “I’ll need your help.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m here. Always have been. Always will be.”
Her eyes watered. “I also need to create better boundaries. With my mom. Will you help me? I’m going to ask her to leave tomorrow.” Maybe one day she could have a relationship with her mom. But first, she needed healthy space to heal and learn to love herself.
His arms flexed protectively. “I’ll be there with you.”
“Thank you.” Her teeth ached as she bit down hard, afraid to meet his gaze. There was so much he still didn’t know. So many details that mattered, that had contributed to who she was today. “I have a lot more things to tell you.”
“I thought you might.”
She met his eyes, her body shuddering. “You won’t like it.”
“I know.” He pulled her back in gently by the hips. “But you know what? I’ll love you. Because of it all.” As his hands settled on her waist, tingles of pleasure sizzled through her skin at the touch. “Dance with me, Melody.”
A slow song had just begun, and she nodded, letting him lead her back to the reception and onto the dance floor. The sensation of being in his arms melted away any lingering fear, and she gazed up at him, her eyes wide and honest.
“I have one more thing to tell you tonight.”
“What’s that?” His feet slowed, and she felt his heart beating hard and fast against her.
“I love you, TJ.”
Scarcely had the words left her mouth before he was sliding his hands along her jawline, tipping her face to the side until his lips met hers in a kiss as strong and sure as his beautiful heart.
“Oh, Melody.” He wrapped his arms around her then, holding her, swaying in time to the music. “I love you so much, my best friend. I have as long as I’ve known you.”
Laying her head on his chest, she trusted him to lead her as she always should have.
She had loved him all these years, too. She just hadn’t let herself accept it because of her feelings of unworthiness. But now she saw her worth.
She was a treasure. To God. And to TJ.
Now she knew why she had never been able to give her heart to anyone else.
It had been TJ’s all along.
As TJ dipped his head for a fresh round of kisses, Melody closed her eyes and leaned in. With her arms twined around his neck, she melded her lips to his and let him know she would never regret the day she chose love.
Epilogue
Lucy watched as her twin plastered his face to Melody’s on the dance floor yet again. She ought to look away and give them some privacy, but she was too relieved by the happy ending to be embarrassed by their public display.
“What isthat?” her sister Joy gasped beside her, pointing toward the pair locking lips. “TJ andMelody?”
“They’ve been in love for years. Where have you been?”
“College, for your information. Andwhat? Come again?”
Lucy ignored her as their mom stepped between the sisters. “You see the lovebirds, too?” She hadn’t had a moment to speak with her parents since the wedding began. Lucy wasn’t the maid of honor, but in her opinion, she was making up for a lot of slack coming from that direction. Karly was going to owe her after this night.
She nudged her mom’s shoulder. “I told you they were meant to be together. See? I was right.”
Mom crossed her arms. “Don’t gloat, Lucy. You nearly destroyed them both with your interference. I hope you realize what a misguided idea that was.”
Lucy dropped her chin. It had been one dumb idea at the end of a long line of others. She never learned. She could only hope Melody would be as forgiving as her brother.
