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“Do you remember what I said to you?”
She wiped her lips with a napkin and nodded. “Yes.”
“Tell me.”
Her chest rose and fell with slow, deliberate breaths. I wondered if her heart raced as much as mine did waiting for her to say the words. I thought she might ask me to repeat it, but then she recited what happened way back then. “That was the day you told me that you were in love with me. That being with me was better than hitting a grand slam or pitching a no-hitter. You said that ...”
Our eyes connected, and I implored her to continue. I needed her to say the words I so clearly remembered. A few beats later, she went on to recite my words from long ago, “That you were grateful that I came into your life and that I let you into mine. You told me you’d love me forever.”
We gazed into each other’s eyes, lost in the depth of our connection. “I don’t think I ever stopped loving you, Hannah. It’s probably why I’m still single. Because my heart did and still does belong to you.” She went to open her mouth, but I stopped her. “Before you say no, please just give me a chance to prove to you that we belong together.”
“I don’t know.”
“What is it that you don’t know? Tell me.”
She looked down and fiddled with the blanket before her gaze again met mine. “For years, I thought that maybe one day this”—she waved her arm between us—“would happen. There were so many times I prayed for it, for us. But when it didn’t, I forced myself to forget how good we were together, even though we were just kids. That is why I need to keep you at arm’s length. Not because I don’t want to be with you, but because I’m afraid of getting hurt again. Seeing you with Jimmy today made me want more. But I’m worried, Cash. It’s not just me anymore. I have a son—wehave a son—and he needs to come first. If we don’t work, then what happens? I wouldn’t want to keep him from you, but I don’t want to not be with him either.”
“I’d never want you to be without him. That’s why I’m moving to Blossom Berry Falls.”
I hadn’t planned on telling her that. Mainly because I wasn’t one-hundred-percent sure. The thought had crossed my mind when I was in her backyard playing catch. Then walking into her house to have a glass of lemonade. All with my son and Hannah. The thought of not being with them didn’t sit well with me.
“You’re what?”
“Moving. This is where I belong, with you and Jimmy. My family is here. Unless you don’t want me to be here, because if I’m here, I want it all, Hannah. I want what we should have had for the past fifteen years.”
Time stood still as I waited for her to say something ... anything. “All?”
“All. Me, you, Jimmy. Together.”
Hannah’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. Her normally composed and confident demeanor seemed to vanish. So did her eloquence because all she said was, “Um ...”
I took her hand in mine. “I’m not giving up on us. Just give me a chance. That’s all I’m asking. Let tonight be the first one. You trusted me in your kitchen and bedroom—”
She put her hand up to stop me. “Yes, I did. That was an amazing night of great sex.”
“If that makes you feel better to say that, then fine. But you and I both know that’s a lie. Just a chance, Hannah. Say yes. Even if my move here is on a trial basis. If you really don’t think we can work, then I’ll leave. But I’ll never not be there for you or Jimmy.”
“Cash, I’m not saying I don’t have feelings for you or you for me. It would be natural. And maybe we do feel love for each other, but that doesn’t mean we’reinlove. You might be confusing that with guilt.”
Stubborn.That word sat on the tip of my tongue, and I left it there ... for now. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I do feel guilty for everything people I trusted did to keep me away from you and our son. Guilty for not being there when you needed me or when Jimmy did. Guilty for so much more, but don’t tell me I can’t differentiate between love and guilt because I can.”
“What about your job?”
“I can do that from anywhere. I’ll speak to my GM. I’ll probably need to go back to Utah occasionally, and I will be here.”
“If that’s what you truly want, then I won’t stop you. Plus, it would be good for Jimmy.”
Finally, I said it. “Stubborn. Can you at least agree to give me a chance to prove to you that we can get back what we had?”
“I don’t understand how you can be so sure. I can’t just flip a switch and go back in time. I’m not Marty McFly.”
A chuckle flew out of me. “Thank God for that. Nothing against Marty, but you’re prettier.”
“Can you please be serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious, Hannah.” Falling on the adage actions speak louder than words, I leaned over the pasta and kissed her. After a bit of hesitancy on her part, our lips moved in perfect harmony. Hannah’s fingertips found their way to my face, tracing the contours of my scruff-covered jawline while I cupped the back of her neck, pulling her closer.
Tilting my head, her lips parted, and our tongues intertwined and explored each other. Every sensation felt heightened—the warmth of her breath, the softness of her lips, the intoxicating taste of desire. God, I wanted this woman. I needed to have her again but didn’t want to rush things more than I already had. Plus, we were in a public place.
