Wait a minute.
The realization slams into my chest, and I sit up straight, stunned by the simplicity of it all. It’s so obvious I feel like an idiot. All I want from Lauren Green is her. Just her. Damn it.
I want her to be mine, and I want her to want me too. It’s as clear as day, and as the epiphany washes over me, I suddenly noticeLauren’s voice in the background—she’s been talking this entire time while I had the biggest realization of my life.
I want Lauren Green.
Hell, I’m going to marry her.
“… So, that’s why we went our separate ways. It was the right decision,” she finishes, poking at her food. Then she looks up at me. “Have you ever had a girlfriend?” she asks, stuffing her mouth with food, mimicking how I did earlier.
You, hopefully.
I smile to myself at the thought.
“Define girlfriend,” I say, trying to keep my cool.
She rolls her eyes, as she always does, but waits for my real answer.
“Oh! You mean a monogamous relationship?” I tease.
“Yes, Silas, come on,” she responds, pretending to be annoyed.
I want to tell her that she’ll be the first and the last. The words are right there, sitting on the tip of my tongue, and I feel anxiety bubbling in my stomach. But instead, I keep playing dumb. I know I need patience with Lauren. I can win her over, just … slowly.
“No, not really. I might’ve dated someone for a few months, but it never went further than that,” I answer casually.
“Were they too imperfect for Silas Walker?” she teases, nudging me with her shoulder.
“They weren’t Lauren Green,” I reply, locking my eyes with hers, letting the weight of my words hang between us.
Lauren nudges me back, her tone suddenly serious. “Come on, don’t joke.”
But it’s not a joke. Everything feels so crystal clear now, like the answer was staring me in the face all along. All those years, I was looking for something in women, trying to fill an invisible gap, but I never quite knew what it was. Now, I know—I was searching for traces of Lauren. Little pieces of her in people who could never compare.
Until I found her again.
“I’m not joking,” I say, my voice low but steady. “I didn’t realize itbefore, but I’ve spent my whole life searching for you in unfamiliar faces. And now that I finally have you in front of me, everything makes sense.”
Her smile falters, replaced by something deeper—confusion, maybe fear.
No, don’t run away from me, Bunny, because this fox isn’t letting you slip through his grasp.
I reach out, gently cupping her face, my thumb grazing her cheek as I hold her gaze.
“I’m not joking,” I repeat, more serious than ever. “Take all the time you need to process this, but Lauren, I’m not letting you out of my sight this time.”
I see her swallow hard, clearly shaken by my words, but I’m relieved. Saying it out loud felt right, like it was the only truth left to hold on to. She’s it for me, and I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure she knows that. Her eyes search mine, looking for any hint of deception, but all she finds is honesty—and a promise I intend to keep.
“Silas” she breathes, her voice barely audible, as if she’s trying to form the right words, but nothing comes.
And in this moment, I know there’s only one way to finish what I’ve started. Without hesitation, I close the distance between us, sealing my confession with a kiss.
Lauren
Silas connects our mouths, his hands sliding possessively around my waist, gripping me like he’s afraid I’ll slip away, like keeping me anchored to this stool could somehow solve all his problems.
Is this really happening? The thrill coursing through me is impossible to ignore, but beneath it, there's a flicker of fear—a fear I can’t quite silence. Just hours ago, being with him was an overwhelming mix of sensations. It wasn’t just physical; it wasstrangely romantic, intimate in a way I hadn’t expected. Silas was firm, commanding, but gentle. After that intense session, he led me to his tub and bathed me while we watched the sunset over Manhattan, his hands soothing, his presence protective. It was a side of him I’d never seen before, or maybe one he’d never allowed me to see.
