“You.” He takes a step closer. “I have lots to learn, but I’ll keep trying because you’re worth it.”
“I’m a lot of work,” I admit. “I need words and reassurance. I need to know I’m wanted on purpose, not by default.”
“I’ll give you that. Every day. In every way I can.”
I study his face. The sincerity is there, but so is the fear and the hope.
“Okay,” I whisper. “Let’s try.”
His shoulders drop with relief. “Yeah?”
“I’ll let you prove it. Not all at once. Not with some big announcement. But don’t run when someone sees us. Don’t shut down when people care.”
His throat works. “I’m sorry. For making you feel like you were convenient. You’re not.” He takes a breath. “You’re everything I didn’t know I needed. Everything I thought I’d given up the right to have.”
My ribs feel too small for what’s filling them. “Cole…”
“I love you. And I’m going to spend every day proving I’m not ashamed of that. That I’m proud of it.”
“I love you too.”
He closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms. I bury my face in his chest and breathe him in: woodsmoke and soap.
“Stay,” I whisper. “Tonight. Stay with me.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Okay. I’ll stay.”
We don’t rush.
He builds a fire in my small fireplace while I make tea. We sit on the couch, his arm around my shoulders. It’s quiet and safe. Everything I’ve ever wanted.
“Tell me about Emma,” I say. “Not the accident. What was she like?”
“Stubborn. Optimistic. Drove me crazy half the time.”
“Sounds familiar.”
His mouth quirks. “Yeah. You remind me of her sometimes. The way you see the good in people. The way you organize everything. The way you don’t give up.”
“Is that hard? The reminder?”
“No. It’s… nice. Like she’s still here, in a way.”
“I bet she’d like that you’re trying again and letting someone in.”
“Yeah. She would.”
We sit in comfortable silence. The fire crackles. Outside, the town is settling into evening with lights coming on and families gathering.
“And after, I want to run by Eli’s store and get some supplies to check your wiring. Weatherstrip your windows. Whatever else this place needs.”
“Cole—”
“Let me take care of you. Not because you need saving. Because I want to. That’s what you do when you love someone.”
