‘Go on.’
‘The first thing is that I’m sorry for all the ups and downs of being married to me. I’m so sorry. You mean so much to me and…’ Her voice wobbled.
‘Cherry, come on. Don’t cry. Unless you want comforted by a very horny man.’
She laughed. ‘Is he you?’
‘Aye, he’s me.’
‘I would actually love that.’
Sean raised his eyebrows, but his expression morphed into serious. ‘Tell me what you realised.’
She found herself reaching for the cushion again, but stopped. ‘The short version is I’ve realised that I have to stop letting my fears hold me to ransom, otherwise it’s going to ruin my life. I have to choose loving you. Because being without you, Sean, is so much worse than my worries for the future, and I couldn’t bear the regret of letting you go without trying. I honestly believe that you and I were made for each other. I love you so, so much, and I missed you every second of every day I was away from you.’
For one heartstopping moment, she wasn’t sure of Sean’s response to this. He was staring at her so intensely that it was hard to tell if he hated her words or loved them.Hated or loved her. Then he reached across the couch, and it became obvious which it was.
‘Cherry, sweetheart, it was torture without you. I’m sorry I laid down the law about you coming back. I was an emotional mess and petrified of losing you.’
‘It’s okay. I understand.’ She took his hand, her wedding ring glinting with a reminder of what she was holding –not just the metaphorical.
Sean touched the ring.
‘I have yours,’ she said.
Glancing at her neck, he said, ‘I noticed.’
‘Would you like it back?’
‘Ha. Aye. Letting it go was the stupidest thing I ever did. I’d kill for it back.’
Cherry faced away from him and lifted her hair so Sean could unclasp the chain. His warm fingers glancing over her neck gave the sweetest relief. Turning back to him, she slid the ring off the chain.
‘Can I…?’ She motioned to his hand.
His eyes shone. Despite it seeming like it was too much, he never took them from her, chest rising and falling, face softening, right hand steadying his ribs. ‘Of course you bloody can.’
Cherry rested his left palm in her own and, as he watched, pushed the ring up his wedding finger. This almost felt more significant than the first time.
‘For better or for worse, I love you, Sean Butler.’
Sean flexed his fingers, examining the gold band. ‘God, I’ve missed this thing.’ He raised his gaze back to Cherry. ‘I’ve missed you, Cherry, my beautiful, wild wife. And it might not surprise you to learn that I am out of my mind in love with you, too. Thank you for coming back, for caringand for being so honest. Have I ever told you that marrying you was the best thing I ever did?’
His words almost knocked the breath out of Cherry. He loved her. He wanted her back in his life. He regretted nothing. ‘Y-You truly think that?’ she stammered.
‘Of course I do. You’re perfect for me. And if you’re sticking around then so am I. Tennessee can get tae. Most respectfully, of course.’
‘Oh, Sean.’ She clasped his hand. ‘I’d love to stick around.’
‘Oh, fuck it, would you come here?’ He motioned to his lap, where Cherry didn’t hesitate in curling up.
‘No hanky panky, okay?’ He teased a finger down her jawline. ‘Just a wee kiss.’
She fixed on the steadfast angles of his face. Could she do just a kiss with this man? She could try.
‘Fuck,’ Sean groaned before their mouths had even met. ‘This was a mistake.’
‘Oh, well, we don’t have to…’
