Angela: Yes
Hudson: Can we talk? Is Ayla asleep?
I waited for a response, but none came. Instead, the front door opened. I rushed out of the truck, not bothering to grab my coat. The air cooled my heated skin.
She shut the front door, wearing a puffy jacket, her feet stuffed into boots.
I moved toward her, touching her shoulders. "I shared that photo with Wynter. She was going to edit it and make a book for us. A tasteful one that showed our love for each other, and then I intended to gift it to you. It was my plan to tell you I love you. I never intended for Bill to get it. He said he took a picture of it off Wynter's computer when he was in there the other day."
Angela was stiff and unyielding under my palms. "He shared it with the town. That was never supposed to be seen by anyone."
I sighed. "It's my fault. If I hadn't shared it with Wynter, he wouldn't have had access to it."
She chewed her lip. "Are you saying that you love me?"
I nodded. "I was looking for the right way to tell you. That day in the shop, you trusted me with your body and your feelings too. I was already starting to fall for you, but that night solidified everything for me. I love you, and I want to spend my life with you. I'd never intentionally expose you like that. I want to protect you. I want to support you. I want to be the man that you can count on."
She reached out to touch my chest, grabbing my shirt, and pulling me close. She licked her lips. "You love me?"
I nodded. "You're so easy to love. I never stood a chance."
Her eyes shone with unshed tears. "I love you too."
"And no matter what happens with your store or Eve, I've got your back. I'll help you find a new building with even better foot traffic than Christmas Town. I'm not giving up on us or you—" I drew up. "Wait, did you say you love me too?"
She nodded, a tear spilling down her cheek.
I brushed it away with my thumb. "I'm so sorry that the picture fell into Bill's hands."
She shook her head. "You wanted to give me a photo book?"
"I'm sure it wouldn't have been as good as if Wynter had taken them, but these were something we shared."
"It means more," Angela said.
"Yes, and no matter what happens, I want to be by your side, supporting you. I won't ever be afraid of expectations or pressure. In fact, I want the pressure of being the man in your life. If that's what you want?"
She nodded jerkily.
"You think I could come inside? I want to show you how I feel."
A smile spread across her face, and I pushed open the door and tugged her inside.
"My room," she whispered as I locked the door. Then we hurried up the stairs and down the hallway. I turned the lock in the door before facing her. She was already shrugging out of her coat, revealing flannel pajamas. She hopped on one leg to pull off her boot, then on the other leg.
She never looked sexier to me.
I toed off my shoes, never taking my eyes from hers.
Her hands went to the buttons on my shirt.
I touched her face, not quite believing that she was here with me. That she'd forgiven me for being so reckless, for trusting someone with our most intimate moment. It was only meant to be between us. Not anyone else.
"I love you," I said before I kissed her, grateful she'd listened to me. That she believed I'd never hurt her.
We worked to get the rest of our clothes off, not pausing. It made it more difficult, but when we finally tumbled to the bed, skin on skin, it was worth it. I never wanted to be apart from her again.
The tension inside my chest had eased, and I wanted to show her how much I loved her. I braced myself on one hand above her as I kissed her, my fingers delving between her legs, gathering the wetness there before slipping inside.
