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“Because there will never be anyone except you.”
“That’s good.”
She giggles. “I kind of think so. This is when you are supposed to say something. We’re about thirty seconds from an awkward silence.”
“We can’t have that. I’m damaged goods, Sophia. You sure you’re up to the challenge?”
Shaking her head and tapping her chin, she teases me with her fake contemplation. I grab her by the waist and drag her to my lap. With her legs straddling me and arms looped around my neck, I have never felt more complete.
“I have a confession, Miss Brooks.”
“What’s that, Mr. Castillo?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I lift my head as she leans in and our lips connect. Years of believing love and happiness were not in the cards, I realize now it only took the right woman and the most fucked-up circumstances to change my mind. Our kisses slow, and when she pulls her head back, lips puffy and cheeks flushed, I’ve never wanted her more.
“I saw some ink on your shoulder.”
She smiles. “Did you?”
“Let me see.”
Twisting she pulls her hair to the side and I tug on the tank. There, on her left shoulder, is a compass. It’s smaller than the one on my chest but there is no doubt it’s the same as mine. Around her compass are mountains and stars.
“You saw Enzo.”
“I did. He told me you had been to see him too. Let me see your new piece.”
Tapping her hip to move, I turn my back to her and pull my shirt up. “Look on his chest,” I instruct.
“It’s my name.”
“Woven in the scales and fire are the most important people in my life. You over his heart and Vargas on...”
“On his ass. Oh my gawd. You’re the worst.”
“And your compass?”
“I’ve been lost for so long but when I came here and found you, everything changed. I found my home. That compass will always lead me to you, Gage.”
Sophia has no idea how much her words mean to me and how much she has changed my life. I have no doubt I will spend the rest of our years showing her. Smoothing back the hair that has fallen in her face, I stare into her eyes and see every emotion I’m feeling looking back at me.
“Oh! I brought you something,” she shouts while pushing off my chest and stumbling off my lap.
I watch her with amusement as she hurries out the cabin door. She’s outside talking to herself and dropping a few swear words before coming back in and dropping on the couch next to me.
Holding a book to her chest she takes a deep breath. “I brought you something. Remember when I first came to Starlight Ridge and you bought me those journals?”
Of course I do. I remember everything. I can’t tell her that so I simply nod.
“Well, this is the journal I started when I was here and finished last week. I want you to have it.”
I look down at her hands and see a book that at one time was black and white and is now covered in vibrant colors. Accepting the gift I am at a loss for words.
“Journaling has been something I’ve done off and on since I was a kid. It’s embarrassing to go back and look at the stuff from my teenage years. So embarrassing. Anyway, I told you once that each time I finish a book, I color the outside. It’s kind of a final nod to that part of life I was working through.”
