“I have to make sure you’re really you. Ever since we’ve gotten here, you’ve turned even more into a mush.” She’s grinning, and I know she loves how much I care for her and prioritize her in everything I do.
Soon, I’ll need to go on some music tours with Rafe. I won’t be in town every moment like I have been. So, while we’ve been away, I’ve already been searching for houses in Birch Borough that Lily may love. I want it to be a surprise when I find the right one, and I’ve already arranged for Ivy to take over Lily’s apartment since it’s so close to the dance studio, when a deal goes through.
After we eloped, the town quickly rallied to show their support. It looks like the only thing I needed to earn their welcome was to have Lily’s full approval, not just in words but in actions. Although, I have to say that Gladys and Lucy seem to have been on my side from the start.
They told me they had to know I was worthy of their girl, worthy of standing beside her as her husband. And with every part of me, I know I proved just that. We don’t always win the battles we face, but in this instance, we won.
“I have to tell you . . .” Lily continues, the feeling of her fingers caressing my face bringing me back to the moment, “I truly love you, Graham.”
Lily runs her fingers through the edges of my beard, and I know that’s my sign to kiss her like it’s our first time and like it could be our last. Her passion for everything in life makes me want to remember these moments and live like we’re mad with love for each other because, it turns out, we are.
I lean closer to her, my hands pressing into the bed on either side of her hips. I watch as her gaze, heavy with love, drops to my mouth. Slowly, ever so carefully, I feather my lips over hers, breathing her in and taking my time. I feel her impatience gathering, but she waits, ready to meet me for what we know will be a storm of love to get lost in for a while.
“Lily?” I whisper, the scent of sweet chocolate on her breath a tease.
“Yes, Graham?” she replies.
Even now, I’m still not always used to hearing her say my real name, so I treasure it every time she does. It proves to me that we’re so much closer than I ever hoped we could be again.
“Don’t play fair with me.”
Her eyes spark, and her mouth is on mine again before I can take another breath. All may be fair in love and war, but fighting for someone you love is a whole lot more satisfying. For the rest of our lives, I’ll never stop fighting for Lily in every way she’ll let me.
She breaks the intensity to tease the edges of my smile, her silky lips breathing fire into my bones and mind. I move to capture her sassy grin, but before I can—with one arm wrapped around my neck and the other around my back—she pulls back enough to hum between us, “You know I love a good challenge.”
∞∞∞
Lily (again)
Over the summer, I feel like I’m soaring. The goodness Graham adds to my life reminds me that there are still people in this world who know what it means to love someone more than themselves.
There are moments of intense passion and—yes—irritation (I think I’ll always love riling him up a bit). In all the moments, I tell him that I love him. He tells me that he knows.
We adventure around the world, from sheep farms in England to vineyards in Italy. We eat Thai food in Bangkok and pretzels in Germany. We even go to Paris to see what all the fuss is about. (It turns out it’s more than great.)
Everything feels perfect because Graham is beside me. I always use his real name and invent new ways to be incredibly vocal about how much I love him and am his girl. After long days in which I’m covered in chocolate and flour, sometimes with Graham baking beside me, we collapse into each other and hold on even tighter. We watch Pride & Prejudice, and he reads me excerpts of the novel at night, sometimes right before I fall asleep.
I hoard each memory of his hands cradling my face or braiding my hair, knowing that, at any moment, he will kiss me like it’s the first time and the last. I’ve never felt so thoroughly adored. He loves me with an intensity that tells me he’ll always care for me and keep me close. I’m reminded that he has always found me beautiful. And I believe him.
And each night, when sleep hovers around us and vulnerability softens us both, I remember how far we’ve come. Our love is like lightning, continuously pulsing through our frames and pulling us deeper into love. We share more chocolate bars than we can count, and when I see my ring—the one that made it through the tempest with us—I do my best not to tear up each time.
Because I have Graham’s whole heart. And he has mine.
