"Let me finish." I take a breath. "I know we said we shouldn't. I know all the reasons this is wrong. Connor. Your career. The fact that you're leaving." Another breath. "But I realized something today."
"What?"
"I've spent my whole life waiting to be chosen. Waiting for my mom to be proud before she died. Waiting for Connor to see me as an adult. Waiting for customers to validate my shop. Waiting for you to notice me." I meet his eyes. "I'm done waiting."
He stares at me. Doesn't speak.
"I want you," I say. The words come easier than I expect. "I've wanted you since I was fifteen and didn't know what to call it. And I'm tired of pretending I don't feel this. I'm tired of making myself smaller so other people stay comfortable." I step closer. "Yesterday you put me first. You called in favors and risked your recovery and almost kissed me where Connor could see."
"I did."
"So now I'm reaching back." My voice shakes but I hold his gaze. "I don't know how this works with you in Boston and me here. I don't know what happens when you leave. But I'd rather have two weeks with you than spend the rest of my life wondering what we could have been."
The silence stretches. He's going to say no. Going to tell me I'm crazy. Going to walk away.
Then he closes the distance between us.
His hands cup my face. His eyes search mine. "You're sure about this?"
"I'm terrified." The admission comes easy. "But I'm sure."
He searches my face. Looking for doubt maybe. For hesitation. He won't find it. Not anymore.
"Lucy Wright," he says. "You're the bravest person I know."
Then he kisses me.
It's different from what almost happened by the fire. Slower. Deeper. Like he's trying to memorize the taste of me. His hands slide into my hair and I melt against him. I taste coffee and mint and something uniquely him. His tongue traces my bottom lip and I open for him. The kiss deepens and heat floods through me.
When we break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"So what now?" I ask.
"Now we figure this out." His thumb traces my bottom lip. "But we do it smart. We keep it quiet. We don't give Connor reason to suspect. Not yet."
"Okay."
"And Lucy?" He tilts my chin up so I have to meet his eyes. "I don't know what this is yet. But I know I don't want it to end when I leave. We'll figure something out."
The words make my chest ache in the best way. "Promise?"
"Promise."
He kisses me again. This time it's hungrier. His hands slide down my sides and I press closer. Heat builds between us. The kiss deepens and I lose myself in the taste of him, the feel of his body against mine. His hands find the hem of my sweater, and I arch into his touch.
A car door slams outside.
We spring apart. Both breathing hard. My lips feel swollen. His hair is messed up from my fingers.
"I should go," he says. "Before someone sees my truck."
"Probably."
But neither of us moves. We stand there wrapped in each other's space, both reluctant to break the contact.
"And Lucy?" He tilts my chin up. "Thank you. For taking the risk. For being brave enough to fight for this."
"Thank you for being worth fighting for."
