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“I was hurt.” He leans his face in. “I felt betrayed, but being without you for the last month made me realize I don’t want to be without you. You’re the love of my life, Layla.”
I stare into cloudy, dark eyes. They’re wet with tears, and his lips quiver as he speaks. The sight of it is enough to make tears roll down my face.
“I want to be with you for better, for worse, Layla. Please.” His oaky smell fills my nose. “I don’t want anyone else besides you. You make me want to be a better man.”
“But after everything that’s happened, Tristan…”
“Then we take each day as it comes. We build it back up brick by brick.” His voice is quiet. “We’re meant to be. I know it, and I know you do, too.”
“What do you want me to say, Tristan?” I shake my head. “Do you want me to say I love you? Because I do! I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, but there’s too much history here.”
Tristan puts a finger to my lips, sending tingles through them. “We’ll make it work. For us—” he puts a hand on my belly. “For our baby.”
Tears stream down my face.
“Shit,” I wipe my face. “I said I wouldn’t cry anymore, but here I am.”
We laugh through the tears as his lips lower onto mine. Applause erupts in the store as I welcome his familiar taste in my mouth. My stomach presses against him as he pulls me in close.
“Where’s Ruby?” I whisper into his ear as we hug.
“She’s waiting for us in the car,” he whispers back. I wasn’t sure how this was going to go, and I didn’t want her to get heartbroken.”
“I missed her,” I say, choked up. “I missed her so much.”
“She missed you too,” Tristan says in a thick voice. “We missed you, baby.”
We pull apart again and lock lips one more time, with the loud applause as a backdrop. Tristan dips his hand into his pocket and brings out a familiar box when we part. He looks up at me with that handsome smile.
“Do you want to do this with me for real?” He clicks the box open, and my ring sits prettily on the velvet pillow.
“Tristan—” I push forward and kiss him, “—I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Epilogue - Layla
Three months later
The smell of new paint and old objects mingle with the excitement in the air as I step into my antique store for the first time. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm glow on the bustling street my new store overlooks.
I don’t need to run a store, not anymore, but I want to. I want to be my own person while having the people I love around me. It’s all I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
“Can I come help after school?” Ruby tugs at my hand, her eyes wide with awe as she looks around. “I promise to be good.” Her face takes on a solemn expression as she crosses her heart.
I chuckle and hold her hand as I walk around the shop, taking in the sights. Tristan had my old store remade in its exact likeness but added some too high-end antiques. I complained, but he wouldn’t budge. You only deserve the best. Those were his words.
“You should be seated, Layla.” His voice carries across the store as I turn to look at him.
Tristan’s hair is growing back, and he has it in a center part mullet. He’s wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. He leans in the doorway, his large frame blocking the setting sun.
God, he’s so handsome.
“Find me a stool, will you?” I say, stroking Ruby’s hair.
He saunters over as Ruby leaves to explore the store. “My legs are available, aren’t they?”
Before I can say anything, he wraps his arms around my wide midriffs and covers my lips with his. I yield myself to him as he kisses me like he owns me. His hand carves into my hair, and his tongue penetrates my lips. I shiver in his arms as his hand makes its way to my butt and grab it.
I remove my mouth from his. “You’re the devil.” I slap his chest lightly without pulling away.
