She made a comical effort to stop laughing, but her gorgeous eyes still danced with delight as she let him twist in the wind. “As you were saying…”
“Often, when one person says they love someone, the other person is required to say it back.”
She raised a brow. “Required to?”
“It’s the polite thing to do, but if you’re intent on making me suffer the way I’ve made you suffer…” He moved to get up and instantly regretted it.
“Sit your ass down and give me a second, will you? I was unprepared for you to come in here and say these things. I thought…”
“What did you think?”
“That maybe it was never going to happen between us. That you were too sealed off to ever let anyone else in.”
“I tried to be, but despite my best efforts, you managed to break the seal.”
“How does it feel?”
“Terrifying.”
“Why?”
“Look at how close I came to losing you, too. How am I supposed to move around in the world feeling this way about someone I can’t protect for every minute of every day?”
“Come here.”
“I’m here.”
“Come all the way.”
“I don’t want to hurt your leg.”
“You won’t if you move carefully.”
“That’s the only way I can move today, thanks to that godforsaken chair. And don’t laugh. It’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny how the Tin Man—before the oilcan—told me he loves me.”
He kicked off his boots and got on the bed, moving slowly so he wouldn’t hurt either of them.
“Why’d I have to fall for a smartass like you, anyway?”
“Because you would’ve been bored with anyone else.”
With his head next to hers on the pillow, he rested his hand on her face and moved his thumb over the softest skin he’d ever felt. “I’m not sure I would’ve survived losing you, too, so thanks for not dying.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Is there anything else you want to say to me?”
She seemed to give that some considerable thought. “That’s about it.”
“Memphis Rose…”
Laughing, she said, “I love you, too, you big idiot. I have for a long time, and I think you knew that, which is why you kept me at arm’s length.”
“I was also worried about messing up your very promising career.”
“What’re we going to do about that?”
