I reached up, covering his hand with mine where it rested against my cheek. “But I’m willing to try,” I added softly. “Because these past two weeks without you have been hell.”
Kent’s smile was like the sun breaking through clouds. “That’s all I’m asking for. A chance to try.”
Before I could respond, he leaned in slowly, giving me plenty of time to pull away. But I didn’t. Instead, I met him halfway, our lips coming together in a kiss that felt like forgiveness, like possibility, like the beginning of something real.
When we broke apart, I rested my forehead against his. “You’re going to have to work for this,” I warned. “I’m not going to make it easy.”
He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
“And we’re splitting the rent evenly,” I added. “I don’t care if you make more money than me.”
“Done,” he agreed immediately.
“And no more secrets,” I said, my voice turning serious. “No more hiding. If we do this, we do it openly.”
Kent pulled back slightly so he could look me in the eyes. “No more secrets,” he promised. “I’m done being ashamed of the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that. “You’re just trying to butter me up.”
“No, it’s true.” He pressed another quick kiss to my lips. “I love you, James. I think I have for a long time, even when I was too stupid to recognize it.”
“I love you too,” I admitted. “God help me.”
A knock at the door interrupted us. “Is it safe to come in?” Mom called through the door. “Are both of you still alive?”
Kent and I exchanged a glance, both of us grinning like teenagers caught making out. “Yeah, it’s safe,” I called back.
Mom poked her head in, taking in our joined hands and close proximity with obvious satisfaction. “So? What do you think of the place?”
I looked at Kent, who was watching me with such naked adoration that it made my heart skip. “I think,” I said slowly, “that we’ll take it.”
Her smile was radiant. “I was hoping you’d say that. The moving truck with your stuff arrives tomorrow.”
“Wait, what?” I blinked at her. “You already arranged for my stuff to be moved?”
She shrugged, not looking remotely guilty. “Kent was very convincing about his chances of persuading you.”
I turned to Kent with raised eyebrows. “Pretty confident, weren’t you?”
“Not confident,” he corrected. “Desperate. And willing to do whatever it took.”
“Including enlisting my mother as your co-conspirator?”
“She was surprisingly easy to convince,” Kent admitted. “Especially after I told her everything.”
That pulled me up short. “Everything?”
Mom stepped fully into the room now. “Yes, James. Everything. Including how you two fell in love, how Kent panicked, and how he’s been trying to make things right ever since.”
“And you’re... okay with this?” I asked cautiously.
“Honey, all I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy,” she said, her expression soft. “And despite everything, I can see that Kent makes you happy. Plus,” she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, “now that I’m divorced, he’s not your stepbrother anymore. Just the man you love.”
I felt my cheeks heat at her bluntness. “Mom...”
“What? I’m just stating facts.” She looked between us, her smile widening. “Now, who’s hungry? I made reservations at an Italian place nearby to celebrate.”
Kent looked at me, a question in his eyes. Are we celebrating?
