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“I know. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” He takes a step toward me but stops when I hold up a hand. “But it’s not because I didn’t want to come. I won’t insult you by making excuses, I just hope you’ll believe that I’d have been here sooner if I could have. And I will do anything to make it up to you.”
“Anything?”
“Anything. Name it, city girl.”
Just knowing that he’s willing to fight for my forgiveness is more than I’ve ever gotten from anyone else. More than I’ve ever thought I deserved. And I don’t want to be mad at him. Unlike my good-for-nothing parents, he at least tried.
I’m choosing not to be mad at him but I’m also not going to give in too quickly. I let the silence stretch like a tightrope between us. A dangerous distance to cross when I finally demand, “Kiss me.”
Fearlessly, Theron closes the distance between us in one large stride to take my face in his hands and kiss me like his life depends on it.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here,” he says pressing his forehead to mine.
“You’re here now.”
“I should have been here sooner.”
“Better late than never.” I’m just glad he’s here. Which is more than I can say for my parents. They didn’t even send a message to congratulate me or apologize for not being able to make it.
“Not this time. This was a once-in-a-lifetime night and I missed it.”
“You said you’d come and you did.”
“You’re doing this all wrong, city girl. You’re supposed to be mad at me. I’m supposed to grovel and beg for your forgiveness.”
“This wasn’t an easy day for you. If we’re being totally honest, I should have been there for you.”
“I know you would have been if you could have.”
“And I know you would have been here sooner if you could have.”
“You’re entirely too understanding, city girl.”
“I’ve had a lot of practice. But the difference with you is that you’ve earned it.”
There’s that longing in his eyes again.
I urge him to say it with my own eyes, refusing to look away. As I wait for him to say it, my own words ring true in my mind.He’s here. He’s earned it. Even though he hasn’t told me he loves me yet, he’s shown me in so many ways.
In that moment, I find my courage. I open my mouth and tell him, “I love you,” just to find his lips moving in unison with mine.
The room brightens with his smile and the light in his ocean eyes. “Really?” He asks but there’s a playfulness in his voice. “Even though I’m broke and homeless and have no real direction for my future?”
I clear my throat and point to the sold sign under the price tag on ‘A little broken but still beating.’ “I’ve never needed anyone to take care of me, Theron. All I’ve wanted is someone to love. Someone who loves me. Someone who believes in me. Someone I can trust. This sold sign is proof that you’re that someone.”
“There were so many times I wanted to tell you I loved you.”
“You’re telling me now.”
“And I’ll tell you every day for the rest of our lives.” Theron’s hands firm against my cheeks. His eyes, wide and fearful, lock on mine. I’m sure he’s scared I’ll think he’s moving too fast. Holding on too tightly. But this is the moment I’ve been waiting for.
I look him dead in the eye. “You hold on as tight as you like, country boy. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Neither am I,” he says wrapping his arms around me, pulling me close and crushing his lips to mine.
I melt into him knowing this is only the first of many unforgettable days with him.
thirty-eight
