Fool that he was, he let her. When she looked into his eyes, hers looked shiny. “I love you, Evan. From the bottom of my heart. I’m only sorry it took the thought of losing you to realize it.”
That…that sounded sincere. He stopped trying to free himself and waited.
“Knowing I’d lost the Talon account killed me. Then realizing you knew that Rob had been a jerk and you’d fixed things when I couldn’t, it hurt my pride. My brother loves you. My friends love you. You’re patient and understanding, and I love you. But I’m afraid. What I feel for you is so much more than anything I ever felt for Bryce.
“You’re kind, even when I don’t say I love you back. Even when I push you away, when I gripe at you about the toilet seat or Taco Tuesday. You smile and tease and make me fall for you all over again.” She blinked, and a tear spilled down her cheek to land on his.
“Don’t cry.” He hated her tears. “Please.”
“And so polite.” She wiped her eyes. “You’re so self-assured, and I’m not. Evan, you’re intimidating.”
He couldn’t believe she’d say that. “God, Kenzie. I’d never hurt you.”
“Oh, stop. Not physically, although you’re muscular and could crush me if you wanted to. I mean you’re intimidating because you’re so honest and giving. And I’ve been living a big lie because I’m afraid. Evan, I love you. And if you ever left me, I don’t know what I’d do. Bryce broke my trust, and he broke my heart.
“You feel like everything I’ve ever wanted. Do you understand how immense that is?”
“I really do.” He drew her down, pouring all he felt into his kiss.
When she pulled back, she had stars in her eyes. “Oh my God. You’re it for me, Evan. You.”
“I love you.”
Her eyes teared again. But this time she ignored them and kissed him for all she was worth.
Her clothes joined his on the floor. The blanket no longer between them, they came together in a rush of motion. No words, just a promise of feeling as they crested into a tangle of love and need that lasted forever and wasn’t long enough.
Sometime later, Kenzie stared down into his eyes, and he realized he’d left some stubble marks on her cheeks. “Sorry if I was too scratchy.” He stroked her face. “I haven’t felt like doing much of anything for a few days.”
“Please don’t shave until you’ve gone down on me at least once. I have to know what that feels like.”
He laughed, his world bright and perfect once more. “You know, that’s better than any apology for breaking my heart.”
She kissed him over his once broken heart, and he sighed with happiness. “Evan, I’m so, so sorry. When I think of all the bad things that could really separate us, knowing I did it because I was scared and super emotional, I feel so ashamed. I’m so sorry.”
“Stop it.” He threaded his hands through her hair, forcing her to look at him. “Damn it. You had your reasons. Yes, they were insane, stupid, ridiculous, barbaric, and asinine, but they were real to you.”
Somewhere around ridiculous, she’d started smiling. “And maybe foolish, silly, impractical, and unintelligent?”
“Maybe, yeah.” He kissed her. “But you had the courage to see past them. Kenzie, I want you. I want Daniel. I want to live in your old house, or you can live in this one or one we pick out together. I’ll even let you drive my car.”
“Oh wow. True love.”
“Um, and you might as well know I kind of let your brother drive it last week, as part of a bet.”
“Oh, I know. I saw his texts to his friend Rafi. He bragged about it.”
He hesitated. “You’re not mad?”
“Actually, I thought it was cute and kind of funny you two thought you could hide something from me.”
“Huh.” He didn’t know how to take that, but she didn’t look upset. “Anyway, I love you. So will you marry me? I know I should be kneeling on the floor to propose, but you’re on top of me, and I’m still inside you, and I can’t think of a place I’d rather be.”
She wiggled her hips. “Do you think if I give you a little time we can go again? And I can shout my ‘yes, God yes’ and make you a happy man?” She kissed him. “Because you know I’m still neurotic, and I don’t understand how you hate tacos, and we’ll always have Lila and Rachel in our lives.”
“I know all that. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, Evan. I will. But only if you promise to take on me and Daniel because we’re a set. Let us love you for the rest of your life.”
