His whole face softened. "I love you too."
"Just wanted to make sure you knew."
"I know." He crossed to me, kissed me softly and slowly. "But feel free to remind me. As often as you want. For as long as you want."
Outside, a siren wailed past. Brian's hand paused on the spice jar, tracking the sound out of habit. When it faded, he went back to cooking.
"Forever sounds good."
"Forever sounds perfect."
Watson meowed from the doorway.
We laughed, got to work making dinner, and let the rest of the world wait.
Tonight, we had everything.
CHAPTER 19
Brian
I wokeup before the alarm.
Ava was curled against my side, her head on my shoulder, her breath warm and steady against my skin. Her hair was a mess—tangled from sleep, spread across the pillow like something from a painting. One hand rested against me, fingers spread like she was checking I was still there.
Two weeks ago, I thought I'd lost her.
I'd carried her unconscious body out of a burning building and breathed for her on the pavement while the restaurant collapsed behind us.
I'd sat in a hospital hallway and prayed to a God I wasn't sure I believed in, bargaining with the universe for one more chance.
And now she was here. Breathing. Warm. Alive.
She was mine.
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She stirred, made a soft sound of protest, and burrowed deeper into my side.
"Too early," she mumbled.
"I know."
"Then why are you awake?"
"Couldn't sleep."
She tilted her head up, eyes still half-closed, hair falling across her face. "Nightmares?"
"No." I brushed the hair back and tucked it behind her ear. "Just... grateful."
"Grateful?"
"That you're here. That I get to wake up next to you." I brushed my lips over her forehead.
She was quiet for a moment. Then she shifted, propping herself up on one elbow to look at me properly. Her green eyes were soft in the morning light.
"I love you."
"I love you, too." She leaned down and kissed me. "Now go back to sleep. It's—" She squinted at the clock. "Six in the morning. On a Saturday."
