Lola smiled.
“You’re here,” Brighton said.
Lola nodded. “I’m here.”
“I’m scared to ask why, but I guess I really need to know.”
Lola sighed, set her hands on Brighton’s shoulders, lightly, fingers twirling Brighton’s hair.
“The simple answer?” she asked.
“Sure,” Brighton said. “Let’s start there.”
“The simple answer is that I love you,” Lola said softly, thumb swiping along Brighton’s neck. “I always have. I always will. And I guess when you think about it, love isn’t actually all that simple, but right now, I think it is. It’s the best reason I’ve got. All the other complexities, our past, and New York, and thehowof everything…I don’t know those things, Bright. I don’t know anything right now except that one thing.”
Brighton curled her hands around the backs of Lola’s thighs, her heart suddenly wild and free and young.
“You love me,” she said.
Lola smiled, her eyes shiny. “I love you.” She cupped Brighton’s face in her palms. “And, actually, there’s one more thing I know.”
Brighton tilted her head. “What’s that?”
“Love…it’s a lot. It’s powerful, but I’d love you whether I came here tonight or not. I’d love you in New York, and I’d love you in Paris, and I’d love you in Grand Haven.”
Brighton stood so they were face-to-face, wrapped her arms around Lola’s waist, pressed her forehead to Lola’s.
“So the second thing I know,” Lola said, “is that I want you.”
Brighton lifted her head, stared into Lola’s usually fathomless eyes, but right now, they were clear and bright and shining with tears.
“I want you, Brighton,” Lola said, her lower lip trembling. “I’m so tired of pretending like I don’t.Lyingthat I don’t. I just want to be real and have…have something more than just okay. We’ve hurt each other. You left, and I left, and I didn’t see you, and I know we have different lives, and we have a lot to work through, but I don’t care about any of that right now. I just want you in my life. I want you as my partner. I want you as…as my wife. Someday. I never stopped wanting that. And if that’s what you want too, I—”
But Brighton didn’t let her finish. Couldn’t. Because she had to kiss Lola right then, a seal, a promise.
Yes.
Kiss.
Yes.
Kiss.
“Yes,” she said against Lola’s mouth.
Lola smiled, then dragged in a shaky breath and kissedBrighton harder, opening to her, sliding her tongue against Brighton’s, igniting her entire body.
“I missed you,” Lola said, sneaking a hand under Brighton’s denim button-up.
“God, me too,” Brighton said, arching her neck to give Lola’s mouth better access. Her breathing was so fast, she was nearly dizzy. “How…how was tour?”
“Later,” Lola said, pushing Brighton onto the bed, fingers going straight for the buttons on her gray jeans. “Can I?”
Brighton laughed. “Please.”
Lola didn’t waste any time. Brighton’s pants were off in a few seconds, her purple undies removed just as fast.
“Jesus,” Lola said, pushing Brighton’s legs apart. “You’re gorgeous.”
