“Are you saying that as a technical truth, or because you actually feel that way?” The air between us fills with a pregnant pause.
“Is there a way it’s supposed to feel? Because I know you’re mine, and I’m yours. I know when I’m on stage with you, I never want to leave. And even when I tried to hate you, love lived in the back of my mind. My life was fine without you, but that was torture because how could I settle for fine after I had you? I want whatever this is. Even if it’s broken, we’ll fix it.”
I’ve loved him even as time made us who we are. As we bent and warped and broke. He was always there. This patient man who never gave up on me, even when I tried to give up on him.
I tried to put him in the past and move on, but that effort was doomed to fail. The past lives in us, brought us here in a tide that threatened to drown us. But we found the shore and finally stepped foot on dry land.
He lifts my hand and presses a kiss on the palm. “I don’t think we were broken. Just a little out of tune. We turned the wrong direction, and it took us time to find our way back. And the music is just as sweet. I love you, Avery, and it’s okay if you’re not ready to say it, but I need you to know that I do, that I always have.”
“I always knew,” I say. “I love you.”
He pulls back and studies my face, my hand still in his. “What does this mean? What’s next?”
“Throw away the papers.”
“I already did.” Of course he did.
“I should have seen that coming,” A light laugh escapes me. “You have my past, have my future too. How does that sound?”
“Perfect.” His mouth is soft against mine, sealing the agreement.
After a long moment, we pull away.
“Lydia and Derek want us to tell everyone that it was a whirlwind romance. That we suddenly realized our feelings for each other and eloped during one of the tour stops,” I say, relaying what I learned while he was away getting food and hair dye.
“Smart. The truth would be rough,” he says, lightening reality.
Every relationship either of us have ever had would be scrutinized. Wes has already survived years of it. But as a woman, I’m not sure if my career would be safe if it came down to it. Not if I wanted to continue to have a career.
They can’t take me as I am. Not like he does.
“And if we’re doing this for real, we should probably get rings.”
“Got yours right here.” He laughs, plucking at the ring hanging around his neck. “I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that since the day I married you fifteen years ago. So when I found this ring, I had to buy it even though I knew there was a chance you’d never accept it.”
“When?”
“Paris. There was this shop we stopped at, and I had to buy it. I know it isn’t traditional, but I couldn’t pass it up.” He twists his chain, unclasping it and slipping the ring free.
My left hand trembles as he slides it on. I examine the delicate engraved vintage gold setting and the ruby and diamond stones.
I never want to take it off.
For a decade he’s worn this. Hoping. Waiting.
A little while later when his phone timer goes off, I turn on the shower. Without having to ask, Wes follows me in. His fingers glide through my hair. I moan, leaning into his touch, arching my back in satisfaction. As diligently as he worked the color into my hair, he rinses it out. Streams of red flow down my body, over the swell of my breasts and curves of my hips, before swirling down the drain.
We’ve been naked together plenty over the last few weeks. But something has shifted. There are no walls left to hide behind. No lies I insist on telling myself.
And then there’s the truth. This isn’t ending. We have time to savor each other without worrying. Wes skates his fingers over my neck, down between the valley of my chest, the soft swell of my stomach.
There’s an intense appreciation in the act. A sculptor admiring a complete piece of art.
“Does the view live up to expectations?”
“Red has always been my favorite color. Looks good all over you.” He turns me so I’m facing the tiled wall. “Here.” His hand trails down my stomach. “Here.” The feather light touch continues to the crease of my thigh, which causes me to rub them together against my building need.
“Touch me. Please.” My back arches with need as I shift to redirect his path.
