I love New York—family dinners with Jensen’s family, Matt’s jokes, Scarlett’s late-night talks. And don’t even get me started on how much I miss Zach. I know my old boss would help me find a job. Maybe not in PACU, but somewhere.
But I love Chicago, too, the friends I’ve made here, being near Michael and Stella. And then there’s my dad. God, I can’t give up this time with him, not when his health is so fragile. I already gave up too many years, and that guilt doesn’t fade. I don’t know if it ever will.
I click the link and gasp. The listing is for a home in Wilmette, just ten minutes from Michael and Stella. Red brick, wide windows, a black door, a yard that seems to go forever. It’s beautiful.
What?Jensen’s never said a word about moving here. Not once.
My fingers hover at my lips as I swipe through the photos—four bedrooms, hardwood floors, a backyard big enough for kids and a dog. A family. My chest squeezes, then warms untilI’m blinking through tears. The thought of him choosing this, moving here for me, hits so hard it steals my breath. He just keeps getting better.
And I feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
Even with all the shit he put me through. Even with the hard we’re in now. Even with all the trust still to rebuild. I’ll take every second with him, because I’m realizing that being loved by Jensen, even for a day, is being loved harder than some people get in a lifetime. He does it differently. He sees me. He puts me first. And somehow, I know he always will.
And that fear? That poison that lingers in the back of my mind whisperingwhat if?I don’t have to listen. I don’t have to look back. I can be cautious, but I don’t have to let it destroy me, my future, or my love for Jensen.
He’s here now. And he loves me more than life itself.
I type back.
Is this for real?
I drop my phone in my purse and sling it over my shoulder. Shoving my feet into my tennis shoes, I scan the room, running through a mental checklist so I don’t forget anything.
Oh, shit. My razor.
Before I can head to the bathroom, there’s a soft knock on the door.
“Come in,” I call.
The door creaks open, and I glance over my shoulder as Jensen steps into the room, grinning. “It’s for real,” he says.
“Oh my God!” I run to him, practically knocking him over. My arms wrap around his neck, and my lips find his before I can even process that he’s standing in front of me. “What are you doing here already? You’re not supposed to get in for threemore hours.” My voice is soft, a breath against his skin, my smile stretched wide.
“I lied,” he whispers, his grip tightening on my waist, pulling me closer.
“That’s no way to earn my trust,” I tease.
“Yeah? You mad?”
I shake my head, catching my bottom lip between my teeth. “No.”God, he’s the best.“I’m so happy you’re here.”
He glances at his watch. “You ready? Because we’ve got an appointment to get to.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What appointment?”
“We’re meeting a realtor at this house in thirty minutes. Just to see if we like it.” He hesitates, watching my reaction. “Unless… you don’t want to.”
My smile stretches so wide my cheeks ache, and tears blur my vision—happy tears. Pure, blissful, happy tears. It’s been so long since I’ve had those. “Are you serious? You’d really move here?”
The corner of his mouth pulls up. “Maybe. We’ll talk about it.” He grabs the handle of my suitcase. “But let’s do it in the car so we’re not late.”
“Alright.” A laugh breaks through my tears. “I’m ready.”
As we head out, I glance at him. “Cutting it close, don’t you think? What if your flight had been delayed?”
He gives me an effortless grin. “I landed at five, babe. I’ve been killing time at Starbucks so I could surprise you.”
“Why didn’t you just come over then?”
