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“Ray,” I said, watching as she busied herself with placing the three plates at each of the chairs.
“I’m not trying to guilt you, Soldier. That’s not the type of relationship we have. We do things at our own pace; I love that we’re able to do that. You’ll say what you need to say in your own time. I just—”
“I love you.”
The final plate slipped from her hand to drop at Noah’s spot at the table as she turned to face me, her lips parted and her eyes already welling up with fresh tears. “What?”
With those words now out in the universe, my chest puffed with a new confidence, a sense of freedom, as I gripped her shoulders in my hands and said, “I love you,” enunciating every word and enjoying the way each one felt on my tongue.
Ray clapped a hand over her mouth as she laughed through the tears. “I don’t know why I’m so surprised. I already knew … I mean, IthoughtI knew, and—”
“What are you guys doing?” Noah entered the room, eyeing us with the sass of a surly teenager.
“I love your mom,” I declared proudly, and he met my eye with a knowing twitch of his lips.
“About time,” he muttered as he dropped into his chair.
“And I love you too, Noah.”
His eyes were quick to flit toward mine, distracted from the casserole dish of baked fish and vegetables. It pained me to witness his confusion, as if he still couldn’t understand that my commitment to his mother extended to him as well. He swallowed, licking his lips through the hesitation, then nodded without saying a word.
Ray held her hands to my cheeks, and I pressed a kiss to her lips.
“Thank you,” she whisperedonan exhale.
“Don’t thank me for what I’d be doing anyway,” I replied before kissing her once more.
We sat down together, ready to enjoy the meal Noah had caught earlier in the day. And as they helped themselves and smiled at each other while we headed into this new chapter of our relationship, I took a moment to quietly look at them. To allow the realization that, in some way, we had become a family to settle in. I loved these people. I had chosen them, the way I’d once chosen Billy’s mom to be mine, but this time, they’d chosen me too.
This is my favorite day, I found myself thinking.This is the best day of myfreakin’ life.
And little did I know then, it would be the last good day we’d have together in this chapter of my life.
But it really was … a very, very good day.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
NO MORE SUNSHINE
What is that?I thought the moment I was shaken abruptly from a comfortable, restful sleep, my arm around Ray’s waist and her back pressed to my chest.Is someone playing music?
I opened one eye just a crack, only to be greeted by the darkness of night.
What time is it?
Does itfuckingmatter? It’s obviously too early—or late—for someone to be playing that shit.
But the music continued to play.
With an angry grumble, I pulled a pillow over my head, ignoring the irritating sound and closing my eyes again. My nose found Ray’s hair and the springtime flowers and lavender she kept there, and I smiled to myself despite the noise.
I love her, I love her, I love her, I thought, allowing the truest of truths to resound louder than the offending noise penetrating my ear drums despite the pillow.
I love her, I love her, I love her.
And how lucky I am to be given that chance.
How lucky we both are to begiveneach other.
