“I told you I’d follow you,” I whisper into her hair.
“You aren’t supposed to be here,” she cries into my chest. “You said we’d find a way but I wasn’t sure…”
“I’vealwaysbeen sure.”
She lets out a shaky laugh. One hand curls into my shirt. I sit back just enough to see her face. Eyes shining. Lips parted. She wants to believe this is actually happening but doesn’t quite know how.
“I meant what I said,” I tell her softly. “I’m yours, Rosa. Whatever that means. However long it takes. I’m moving to Seattle so we can be together. Give ourselves a real shot. You’re worth it.We’reworth it.”
Her breath stutters. Her fingers trail around myheart. “Santiago…”
“I love you.” I cup her checks with my hands. “You don’t have to give anything up. Not your restaurant. Or family. Most of all not yourself.”
She stares at me for a long beat, eyes wide and uncertain, weighing the risk of believing this is something real. Then she leans in and kisses me, slow, deep, deliberate.
The moment her walls finally fall, everything shifts from maybe tomeant.
When she pulls back, her voice trembles. “Are you sure? Even if I can’t give you kids? Or find out in real life I’m not the same woman you’ve fallen for once life gets crazy again?”
I don’t flinch. Don’t look away. “Even then.Especiallythen.”
She tries to keep her composure, but the way she clings to me gives her away. She’s in. All in.
I hold back a smile, afraid to break the spell. Nine hours in first class with me—she doesn’t stand a chance.
I’ll eliminate any lingering doubts.
“You’ve spent your whole adult life without a partner to lean on. Carrying more than anyone should. Giving everything until there’s nothing left for yourself. Itends now. You have someone to lean on, if you’ll let me.”
The last trace of hesitation leaves her face. She slides her hand up to my jaw, thumb brushing my skin. “I don’t know what comes next. I know I don’t want to face it without you.”
“I love you, Rosa.” I kiss her temple.
She threads her fingers through mine. “I love you too, Santiago.”
Outside, clouds drift across a boundless sky, but all I see is her. Rosa leaning her head on my shoulder, fingers tracing lazy zigzags over my hand.
A moment later, she exhales. It’s a soft sound of acceptance. The moment she truly lets herself fall.
Four weeks may not be a long time, but for us each moment is stitched so deep, we’ve already shared a lifetime.
Everything from here on out is a gift we get to unwrap together.
Epilogue - About A Year Later
Therestaurantglowsaroundme, alive with motion and sound.
It’s Friday night, the dining room’s full. Third course down without a hitch.
The kitchen steady and confident, every detail unfolding without me steering every little detail.
I can lift my head. Breathe. Enjoy themoment.
Glancing toward the wine cellar I spot him stepping out, a bottle of Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva in his hand.
Santiago glides over to a table like he’s been part of this place forever. Gorgeous in a tailored black vest over a crisp white shirt with his sleeves rolled to his elbow and a wine key at his hip.
He bends to pour the wine for a retired nurse who’s celebrating her 75th birthday. She clutches his arm and laughs. He answers in that honeyed Spanish I’ll never get tired of hearing, then moves on to the next table, charm never dimming.
