"Yes."
"Even though I can't work Excel?"
Despite everything, she laughed. "Even though."
"Even though my job involves people shooting at me?"
"I'll buy better bear spray."
“Not necessary.” He scrunched up his face. “You realize my team is insane."
"They're perfect."
"Even though?—"
"Griff." She pressed her hand to his chest, feeling his heart racing as fast as hers. "I love you. I decided last night, watching you sleep, making sure you were still breathing. I'm done playing it safe. Done settling for normal. I want this. You. The team. All of it."
The big hand that covered hers trembled. "I guess prayers do get answered."
"What prayers?"
"I spent all night trying to figure out how to convince you to stay. And praying to the Lord to help close the deal." His thumb traced her knuckles. "I had a whole speech planned. Seventeen reasons why Hope Landing is amazing. Eighteen reasons why you belong with the team. Nineteen reasons why?—"
"Why what?"
"Why I love you."
Her breath caught. "You do?"
"Sarah, I fell for you way before you bear-sprayed me. I loved your quiet courage. Your determination. That only sealed the deal, because only you would fight back that hard. I loved you in that mine shaft, in Charleston, every terrifying moment since." He pulled her closer. "I didn't think I deserved you."
"You don't get to decide what I deserve," she said firmly. "I do. And I deserve someone who'll tackle senators for me."
"Fair point."
They stood there, holding each other, her father's crossand Tank's tags on the table beside them—witnesses to this moment.
"So what now?" Sarah asked.
"Now we go to Doc's. You make your seventeen-slide presentation to the Admiral about why he needs you."
"How did you?—"
"The team may have mentioned he's interested." Griff grinned. "But I wanted you to decide to stay for us, not for a job."
Sarah pulled back. "They knew?"
"Apparently. Axel almost spilled yesterday but Ronan shut him up."
"Those sneaky?—"
A knock interrupted. Admiral Knight himself stood in the doorway, looking amused.
"Ms. Winters. Hawkins. I hear you're being discharged."
"Sir," they said simultaneously.
"Ms. Winters, about that position we discussed?—"
