“No more secrets.” He takes my hands in his and squeezes.
Peering up at his hazel eyes, I say the truest thing I know, “Patton, somewhere along the way, you stopped being my enemy and became someone I fell in love with.”
The words sparkle like stars between us.
“You love me?” His voice is rough.
“I think so. Maybe. Yes. I’m a mess.” I clutch my head in my hands, then meet his gaze again because if I can’t keep secrets, I won’t hide either. “I do. I love you, Patton.”
“I’ve never been in love before and this—” He shakes his head. “I’m afraid to let myself—” He takes a breath. “I’m afraid to let myself love someone because that means I could lose them. Leaving you behind like my mom was when Dad died.” He looks at me, and the vulnerability in his eyes nearly breaks me. “I’ve spent all these years building walls to avoid exactly this feeling. And you just walked into the fire.”
“I’m afraid too,” I confess. “Of being used. Of trying my hardest and still not being enough. Of being someone’s temporary placeholder until they find someone better.”
“You’re more than enough, Winnie.”
We’re inches apart now. I can smell cedar and woodsmoke, see the whiskey flecks in his hazel eyes.
“So what do we do?” I whisper.
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t want to walk away.”
“Me neither.”
“I want to be brave, for you, for us.”
Patton leans in slightly. I do the same. Our lips are about to touch when his radio crackles to life.
“All units, major structure fire on Alpine Ridge. Multiple buildings are involved. Requesting full department response—repeat, full department response.”
Patton closes his eyes, frustration clear on his face.
“I have to go. But I don’t want to be done talking,” he says, pulling back reluctantly.
“Not even close.”
He touches my face briefly, thumb brushing my cheek. “When I get back?—”
“When you get back,” I agree.
He kisses my forehead and then he’s running to the fire department section of the building. Mere minutes later, the engine is ablaze with lights. I watch the ladder truck, and command vehicle disappear into the night, heading toward danger while my heart stays here, full of hope and fear and love.
I stand on the steps for a long moment, processing.
We didn’t fix everything. Didn’t kiss and make up and ride off into a perfect sunset. But we were honest. Vulnerable. Real. It feels like we cleared away our terrible first impressions, cleared up our foolish middle with our respective bets, but we’re not at the end. No, this feels like a beginning.
I head back inside, wrapping my coat tighter. The Ball is over because half of the guests had to abruptly leave. Everyone else says goodbye and thanks us for a wonderful event.
Mindy rushes over, eyes wide. “Are you okay? Did we completely mess things up? I didn’t mean to ruin everything. I just thought it would be cute if we all confessed together and?—”
“It’s okay. We’re going to be okay.”
“Really?” She dramatically sweeps her hand across her forehead with relief before I even answer.
“Really.”
Peony appears with my purse. “Heard the emergency call. That sounded bad.”
My stomach clenches.
