There’s a lot of reasons I’m staying. For one, both of the people I love most in the world are here. Time is fleeting, and I don’t want to waste a single second away from my family anymore. I can have a really good life here, I know that.
Weston walks into the office holding two coffee cups. I always drink a cup before I come, but I love that he brings me another anyway. Which is good because I have a lot to do today, and it’s easier to do things while heavily caffeinated.
“Thank you so much,” I say as he hands me my cup of coffee, leaning in to plant a kiss, his lips warm and soft. It kicks my heart beat up a notch. I hope that never stops, the thrill I get from him.
The warmth from the travel cup heats up my hands. I immediately bring the cup to my lips and take a good sip.
“So, what do you need to get done today?” Weston asks as he sits in the chair across from me.
“Actually, I have to have a really important conversation with one of my clients. I’m kind of nervous.” Which is true, but I think it’s safe to say he’s a hell of a lot more than a client now.
“Well, what’s making you nervous about it?” Weston leans forward, fully engaged. I love this about him. If there's an issue, he wants to solve it together, and if he can’t help, he’ll at least listen.
“He's really stubborn, and I don’t think he’s gonna listen to what I have to say. Even though I know it’s what’s best.”
“I’m gonna apologize on behalf of all men, we have a really hard time admitting when we’re wrong,” he says with a coy smile. Hearing those words come out of his mouth actually eases some of my anxiety. Because some men may be like that, but not mine. He messed up and owned up to it. He put in the work to fix what was broken. When I think about how good he is to his core, it warms my heart. Loving somebody like this can be overwhelming.
“I don’t think you’re giving good men like you enough credit. That’s why I want to stay here with you.” I nervously fidget with my hands as I wait to hear his reaction.
“Do you mean you want to stay in Windy Peaks?” There’s a whole range of emotions flying across his face. I can see them also clearly, the concern in the pool of his brows, the excitement, and the slight smile on his face.
Standing, I walk around my desk and plant myself on his lap, looping my arms around his neck. “More specifically, I want to stay herewith you. I don’t want to spend another minute apart. I wanted to talk to you about this for a while.”
His hand rubs up my back. I’m not sure if he’s trying to reassure me or himself. “I don’t want you giving up your career for me.”
“I won’t be. I’m fine with leaving New York. I can be incredibly happy here, running the business side of things if you’ll let me. And if not, I’m sure there’s something else I can find that would fulfill me just as much. What I do for a living does not matter nearly as much as how happy you make me. As getting to be around my grandpa more. I have people I can count on here, West. You have no idea how important that is, until it’s gone.”
“You are one hundred percent sure?” he asks, hope shining in his eyes.
“I’m more than one hundred percent sure. I miss Windy Peaks. I’m happier here than I have been in New York. I think I felt so restless these last few years because I knew something was wrong, and I know now what it was. I wasn’t home. You are my home. I love this ranch.”
His hand cradles against my jaw, his thumb gently brushing against my cheekbone. His eyes shine with unshed tears, filled with devotion and love, it makes me realize it was all worth it. As long as we ended up right back here. “I love you, Willow. Always have, always will.”
“Ditto,” I say with a wink. Because there’s no words that can adequately describe the way I’m feeling right now. It’s too much. “Thought you were gonna fight me a lot harder on this.”
“Wait, was the client you were talking about me?”
“You catch on so quickly. It’s astonishing, really.” Sarcasm rings through and so does my smile.
“Hey! That actually could’ve taken a bit longer. I feel like you should give me some credit.”
“You’re right, I didn’t even have to hold your hand and walk you to the point.”
“Thank you.” He gives me a small kiss on my nose before pulling me into his chest. I have a feeling he’s saying thank you for more than one thing right now. “Can we tell everyone you’re staying at dinner tonight? Aspen’s been bugging the shit out of me about it.”
I laugh, tapping his chest twice before saying, “Yes, of course.”
One of the best things about Weston is the family I get along with him. I’ve learned so much from them. Mostly, I’ve learned to believe that a real family never leaves. And that family isn’t always blood, and that’s okay. It’s a blessing to have either way.
“Shut up!” Aspen’s hands slam on the table with a thud as her voice comes out in a girlish shriek. Before I know if she’s running over to me and hugging me so tight, she’s almost cutting off my airflow.
“Hey, can you let her go before you shut her up forever by accident?” Weston jokes pulling her arms away from my neck.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so excited. It’s gonna be so nice having another girl around.” She gives me one final squeeze before letting me go and heading back to her seat.
“With her staying, I want to make sure it’s okay with you guys if we hire her on?”
“And keep in mind if any of you say no, I will never cook for you again,” Mabel interjects as she glares around the table. I know she’s joking, but it’s still terrifying nonetheless. You would think peoplewould be more afraid of Jack. Wrong. When we were kids, it was the ass chewing from Mabel.
