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“These are for you,” she said. “Can we sit down?”
He pulled out a chair and dropped onto it. She lowered herself slowly onto the one beside it. She still wasn’t feeling particularly well, and she was wary of moving too quickly after what had happened yesterday. She interlaced her fingers on her lap and tried to remember the words she’d rehearsed.
“I’m sorry for what I said earlier. It was out of line. Everything between us has been so good, and when I talked to Shane, I realized that I was waiting for you to decide I wasn’t enough for you. That’s not fair to you, and I truly am sorry for it.”
He held her gaze for so long that she began to squirm in her seat, then his expression eased and a twinkle appeared in his eyes. “I know you are. I’m sorry for how I reacted too. I’ve been trying so hard to get everything right, and when it seemed as if you hadn’t noticed any change from how I used to be, it felt like my baggage was going to follow me around forever. Still, I shouldn’t have lost my temper and left.”
“You did the right thing. We both needed space.” Her heart clenched. She felt awful for making him feel like his efforts didn’t matter. She understood wanting to move on from the past. “You’ve been wonderful. The problem is me.” She raised her chin, determined to get this out without falling apart. “I know I have trust issues, and they won’t go away overnight, but I’m going to make an appointment with a therapist to try to work through my problems in a healthy way so I don’t unload them on you again.”
His posture loosened, and he cracked that lopsided grin she loved so much. “That’s great, Gabs. For the record, you are not a ‘problem.’ Neither am I. We just have some things we need to get straight in our own heads so they don’t come between us again.” He hesitated for a moment, then glanced down. “You’re not the only one with insecurities. The reason I don’t like you talking to Tristan is because he’s everything I’m not. Stable, successful, responsible. He’s like your picture-perfect match.”
Gabby’s heart ached for him. “I’m sorry. I had no idea you felt that way.”
He shrugged. “How could you?”
She should have noticed. She’d realized that he hadn’t liked Tristan, but she’d had no idea this was why. She should have been more sensitive to his feelings. “You should know that however good Tristan looks on paper, there’s a massive, massive problem with him.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “He’s not you. You’re the one I’m crazy about, Logan.”
His eyes were soft with emotion. “I’m crazy about you too.” He cocked his head. “Hey, maybe I’ll get the number for that therapist from you. I’ve never talked to a professional about how it affected me when Dad left. Mum offered, but I didn’t think I needed it.”
She shifted her chair closer until their knees were touching. “I think that’s a great idea.” Now, there was one more thing for her to come clean about, and it would be the hardest part of all. “I’ve got something to show you.”
She slowly rose and offered him a hand. He ignored it and wrapped an arm around her once he was upright, supporting her. She rested her head against his shoulder for a couple of seconds, knowing she’d be happy if she never had to move. But it was time for her leap of faith.
“It’s in the kitchen,” she said.
They walked side-by-side to the kitchen and Gabby flicked on the light as they entered. She guided him to the counter, where eight cupcakes were spaced, each with a letter frosted on top of it. She watched Logan’s face as he read the words.I love you.His eyes flicked to hers and a smile lifted the corners of his mouth and spread over his face, transforming him with joy.
“Really?” he whispered.
“Yeah.” She rested her hands against his chest and looked up at him. “I love you, Logan. With every part of my heart. I want to be with you, whatever life brings. Even if, God forbid, we were to lose the babies, I’d still want to be with you. However our future might look, I’m here for it. Whether we marry or not. Have two kids or ten. None of that matters. I thought marriage and a white picket fence were what I wanted, but I was focused on the wrong thing. What I really want—what really makes me happy—is you.”
Logan used a hand on the small of her back to shift her closer. “I love you too.” He smiled helplessly, flashing his teeth. “You drive me nuts sometimes, but I’d rather lose my mind with you than do anything with anyone else.”
“I—” She started to defend herself, but he put a finger to her lips. She narrowed her eyes.
“Just listen. All the reasons I avoided relationships were wrong. I had good intentions, but I was misguided.” He removed his finger from her lips, but she kept them shut. “I want everything with you, Gabby. The marriage. The white picket fence. The children. Even your mismatched band of pets.”
“Hey—”
“Uh-uh.” He grinned. “I know it might take you a while to believe it, but I promise I’ll make you happy, and I’m willing to wait until those insecurities disappear.”
* * *
“I believe it,”Gabby said. “I let doubt creep in earlier, but I’m done with that. I love you, and I want a future with you—in whatever shape it comes.”
Logan kissed her. His past dropped away, leaving only the wonderful present. He felt weightless. He’d spent half of his life scared of falling in love with someone only to let them down, but now he knew that he never would—and if he slipped up, Gabby would call him on it. He deepened the kiss, wanting to get as close to her as possible. His soul yearned to be one with hers.
She pulled back, breathing heavily. Her pupils were dilated, and that was enough to remind him that she’d been through a trauma. No sexy times tonight. They could cuddle though.
“Want to put a movie on and eat these cupcakes in front of it?” he asked.
She laughed. “Way to segue. But yeah, that sounds great.”
His stomach rumbled on cue, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since lunch.
