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Lilysat besideWyatton a bench overlooking the busy street below.Itwas all so surreal.
ASpandexedwoman, pushing a jogging stroller, raced by, the baby shrieking gleefully.
“Wyatt, why are you here?” she asked again, hoping for a clearer answer.
Wyattswallowed hard, turned to face her. “BecauseI’man idiot.Inever should have doubted your intentions.WhenIsaw you withPeterin the hotel lobby . . .”Hepaused, as if recalling the gut-wrenching moment. “Iwas sureI’dlost any chance to be with you, that you wanted nothing more to do with me.”
Lily’sheart thumped loudly in her chest. “Youwere there?”
Wyattnodded, “Inever should have let you leave my place alone.I’msorry.”
“YoubelievedIgot back together withPeter?”
Wyattfrowned. “Hewas hugging you.Ithought . . .”
Nowonder she hadn’t heard from him. “It’sover.Forgood.”
Wyattpaled. “Withme?”
Lilysmiled softly.Helooked so vulnerable.Sheplaced a hand on his cheek. “No,Wyatt.Withhim.”
Therelief onWyatt'sface was as clear as the now cloudless sky.Itfilled her heart with joy.
“Oh,” he said, turning away, seemingly trying to regain his composure.Shegave him time.
Wyatttook hold ofLily'shand, now resting on the bench between them. “Loutold me everything,” he said, his index finger caressing her palm.
Lilysaid, “Didhe tell you the project on top ofFourO’clockRoadis going to be a single story youth center?”
Wyatteyes widened. “Areyou serious?”
Shenodded. “It’sgoing to be my project.”
“Yours?”
“Igot the promotion.It’seven better thanIexpected.”
Wyattfelt a deep sense of pride. “That’sgreat,Lily.I’mhappy for you.”
“Thanks.”Somethingtickled the back of her mind.Thenshe smiled. “Youcame here thinking the mall might still be going forward?”
“Ilove my town,Lily.ButIlove you more.”
Thewords flew from his mouth, as if that particular combination of sounds was the most natural thing in the world.
Itnearly madeLily'sheart stop beating. “Whatdid you say?”
NowWyattplaced his hand onLily’scheek. “I.Love.You.Lily.”
Lily’seyes brimmed with tears. “Youdo?Sincewhen?”
Wyattlaughed at that. “Sincethe momentIsaw you atTheRoadhousewithLou.Andagain when you fell intoLakeDillon.Andagain when you joined me on stage at theJulyFourthconcert.”
Asingle tear streaked down her cheek. “Ilove you, too,WyattSomers.”
Wyattbrushed away a stray lock fromLily’sface, his eyes tracing the delicate curves of her lips.Intensitycloaked his features as he leaned in, closing the distance between them.
Lily’sheartbeat quickened, anticipation building asWyattpaused a moment, his breath against her lips, sending shivers down her spine.Sheclosed her eyes.
