“Whether I want to be with you or not was never the problem.” I lean across the counter. “I love you, Theo. I was waiting for you to come to me.”
He lets out an exasperated laugh. “You’re the one who left.”
“What was I supposed to do? Christine said?—”
“Forget what Christine said.” He leans in, his gaze penetrating. “We have a future together if you want it.”
“What about Everett?”
“He’s part of the reason I’m here.” I lift a brow. “Who do you think told me about you transferring schools?”
The final piece clicks into place. Everett can’t stop us from being together. Distance can’t stop us. His work can’t stop us. Theo is choosing me. I would never make him choose me over his career, but he is.
And maybe he doesn’t have to. Maybe we can be the ones to have it all.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I want this.”
Tears spill down my cheeks.
“Don’t do that,” Theo murmurs, frowning. “I promised Everett I won’t make you cry again, and I intend to keep it?—”
“These are happy tears, you foolish man.”
I lean across the counter, closing the remaining space, and fervently press my lips to his.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
THEO
This isn’t just another barbecue. One could be easily fooled by the smell of smoke and the sight of Everett at the grill, but I know it’s more than that. I bounce on the balls of my feet, anticipation thrumming through my body. The calm blue sea and bright blue sky can’t calm me down today.
No, this isn’t just another party—it’s my first party with Evie as a couple. It doesn’t feel all that different. She’s been busy at work with her cake. This is an important day for her, too, and it’s bigger than me.
For so long, my career was the biggest thing in the world. My job is saving the planet, after all—spreading education about forestry, replanting trees, and creating recycled products. If anything in our world is going to change, it has to start on a corporate level, and I’m trying to be a part of that. Itisbig.
Loving her is as big, and even though her dreams are different than mine, seeing how much she lights up over her work makes me fall in love with her every time. Whether she’sbaking at home, working at the bakery, or talking about what comes next…
I’m proud to be at her side.
“Theo,” Everett calls. “Help me out over here, will you?”
“Sure.”
I’m glad he’s still talking to me. Everett hasn’t said much about my relationship with Evie, but he extended an invitation when the weekend came around. That feels like all I can ask for right now.
“How are you doing?” He looks at me from the corner of his eye and flips the steaks. The sizzle hits my ear before I can come up with a response.
“I’ve been… good. All right.”
Better than ever, technically speaking, but Everett doesn’t need to hear me bragging about how happy I am with his sister. Ridiculously happy—that’s how happy I am. I press my lips together to keep from saying so.
“Evie told me what you did,” he says. “About her tuition.”
“Oh…” I scratch the back of my neck. “Yeah. That was nothing.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t be like that. It waseverything. I would have done it if I could, but I couldn’t, so… thanks.”
I clear my throat. “I’m thinking of making it an annual thing—starting a scholarship in her name. What do you think?”
