“I suppose it could be.” I ran my finger along her jaw. “Are you asking me what I think you’re asking me?”
Her smile faded as she fisted the collar of my shirt. “We missed out on so much. I refuse to waste any more time.”
“We’re getting the doorbell fixed.”
She giggled against my mouth as I kissed her again, smiling at her hungry whimper as my tongue stroked hers. She mewled and slumped back against the wall, her nails digging into my back to bring me closer.
“Mine,” I grunted against her neck as my hand slid up her thigh.
She ran her fingers down my back, goosebumps chasing her touch. Thea brought me back to life in every single way.
Her hand grazed across my hip and palmed my ass.
“Damn right, you are.”
“I know we’re not open yet, but I’m sure groping customers against the wall violates one of the health department codes,” Joe teased from behind us.
We broke apart, and Thea buried her head in my chest.
“You guys would know.”
Caterina shot me a scowl as Thea laughed. “You’re lucky I’m so happy for you that I’m letting that slide.”
“I hate to throw you out but I’m leaving with my girl, so…” I picked up my backpack and nodded toward the door.
“You’re throwing us out, anyway. Got it.” Joe wrapped his arm around Caterina’s shoulders. “See you tomorrow.”
“Latetomorrow,” I called after them. I heard them both chuckle in the distance as they made their way out.
A giggle escaped Thea when I pulled her body flush to mine. I grabbed her face and searched her gaze.
“You came back to me,” I whispered.
She smiled and kissed my cheek.
“I did. And I’m here to stay. We’re going to make it this time. No doubts.” She pressed her lips against mine. “No reservations.”
I shook my head. “Nope. None of that ever again.”
“Ready to go home?” Thea wrapped her arms around my waist. The corners of her eyes crinkled as her lips curved with an easy smile.
“Ready? I’ve waitedyears, sweetheart.”
I’d been in love with her for so long, it was hard to remember a life without her.
Because there wasn’t one.
She was right, it was finally time.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Thea
“Babe, it’s not a big deal.”
I rubbed Dominic’s shoulder as he drove us to dinner. Tonight was the first anniversary of what he called our first date, even though I still counted that night at the bar all those years ago.
