I somehow make my arms work to hug him back. “You did, you dummy,” I sob. “I missed you.”
“Ah, Daph.” He threads his fingers through my hair and kisses my temple. “I missed you too.”
“And I was scared you—you—you wouldn’t want me anymore.”
“Daphne,” he whispers. Just my name, but with tenderness and reverence and empathy and a million little meanings behind it.
“I know you said—you said you’d come—but I left you in—injail.”
“I broke out. Picked the lock. Made a run for the border with the help of an old cowboy and a runaway fairy princess. Totally fine, like I told you I would be.”
I laugh, but I’m crying too hard, and instead, I choke and send myself into a coughing fit.
“Ah, young love,” Simon says cheerfully. “So marvelous and beautiful.”
“Spoken like a man who found it while immensely hungover,” Bea murmurs.
“Exactly that, my darling.”
I squeeze Oliver tight.
He squeezes me right back. “Archie wouldn’t give me your phone number.”
“I told you he’s an asshole.”
He laughs against me, and suddenly everything is right in the world again.
He’s here.
He promised he’d be here, and he’s here.
Unless he’s a mirage.
“Are you real?” I ask him.
“Exactly the same as being drunk,” Simon says.
“Shush.” Bea laughs.
“Very real,” Oliver says. “And glad that you had entertainment the past few days, if the past few minutes are any indication.”
“Don’t leave again.”
“I’m not leaving again.”
“Promise?”
“Daph, everything else in my life was chosen for me. I’m not running away from my life. I’m runningtoit. I choose you. Iwantto make a new life with you.”
“Oliver,” I whisper.
He kisses my forehead, then my hair. “I’m completely done in the city. Any loose ends can be done over email now.”
“I was so proud of you today. You did an amazing thing that will be so good for a lot of people.”
“I hope you’re right.” He kisses my forehead again. Strokes my back. Holds me tight while I get a grip on my breathing, just letting me be. Letting me cry it all out until the tears are gone.
He feels so good.
