I smile. Not out of politeness. But because Idofeel good. Strong. Whole.
“Thanks,” I say. “I do.”
As I turn away, Hunter is already there, handing me the sweetener like it’s a crown.
“You okay?” he murmurs.
I nod. “Let’s check out.”
And just like that, I leave that old version of myself behind—right there between the cucumbers and the regrets. Where it belongs.
The second the sliding doors of the store swish closed behind us, the morning air hits me like a reset button.
I don’t realize how tight my shoulders were until I step into the sunlight and breathe.
Hunter’s already a few steps ahead, but he stops—like he can feel the shift in me—and turns. His eyes meet mine.
And then hemoves.
In one smooth motion, he strides back toward me, grabs my hips, and presses me gently—but firmly—against the side of his truck.
“Jesus,” he mutters, eyes dark. “That was hot.”
I blink. “Me telling off my ex was hot?”
He grins, leaning in until our noses brush. “You standing up for yourself. That voice? That fire? Yeah. That was the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.”
My breath catches just as his lips capture mine.
It’s not rushed. Not frantic. It’s claiming. Reverent. His mouth moves over mine like hemeansit—like the only language he knows right now is touch.
And I melt into it.
Right there in the parking lot, where anyone could see. Where I used to care so much about how I appeared. But not anymore. Because this? This is who I am now. And Iwantto be seen.
He pulls back just enough to whisper, “You good?”
I nod, smiling as I trace my fingers along the hem of his shirt. “Yeah. I’m good.”
He opens the door for me and we hop into the truck.
We ride in silence for a few minutes, the road slipping beneath us, the sunlight blinking through trees as we head toward home. I’m sipping my coffee. Still processing.
“I’m happy,” I say softly.
Hunter glances at me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I stare out the window. “But there’s one thing left. One person—well, two—we’re going to have to tell.”
“Who?” he asks, already knowing.
I turn to him, steady. “My daddy. And my mom too.”
He exhales slowly. “You ready for that?”
“I’m not sure.” I smile, even as my stomach knots. “But I know I’m not going to hide anymore. And if I’m choosingthis—choosing you—then I’m going to do it with my whole heart.”
Hunter reaches over and laces his fingers through mine on the center console.
