He skims a hand down the curve of my back, like he’s providing comfort to me when it should be the other way around. “You didn’t know.” It’s a statement, not a question.
Leaning back, I run my hands through his hair and then cup his face. “Penelope confirmed that she’d deleted your message and blocked your number. She thought you were trying to get me to come back to Coldwater. I don’t know why I never saw through her bullshit before or let her have such control over me.”
Grayson grips my chin between his forefinger and thumb, forcing me to lift it. Something shifts in his gaze, like he’s releasing all of his old hurt and is fully ready to embrace the future because he knows I didn’t choose to abandon him in his grief. “Hey, what she did isn’t your fault. Okay?”
“Okay.” Of course he’s right. I can’t be held responsible for Penelope’s actions any more than Grayson can for mine. But it doesn’t stop the wave of grief from crashing into me, because I could have been there for him. I should have been there for him.
“Have you eaten?”
Shaking my head, I draw in a heavy breath before standing and moving back to my seat. Grayson goes to get up, but I cover his hand with mine, and he stops halfway to standing. “I just have something else I want to say.” Dropping back into his seat, he waits patiently for me to continue. “I didn’t come back for you. When I first returned to town, I was nervous at the prospect of seeing you, but I didn’t return for you. I wanted to find myself and figure out who I was because I felt like I’d lost something. But somewhere along the way, I found my music again and I found who I am. She’s different from the person I was twelve years ago, but I think a little part of her was always here. In this town. With you.”
His eyes soften, and he leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. A soft smile kicks up one corner of his mouth. “You don’t have to convince me, Ave. I can see how much you’ve grown, what you’ve achieved, and how fucking amazing you are. But you’re still you. Still the woman I love.”
My heart skips a beat, and I press my lips together to keep my grin at bay. “You do?”
“I never stopped loving you. Watching you walk away all those years ago was the hardest thing I had to do, but I couldn’t be the reason you stayed and missed out on your dreams. Just like I won’t be now. We don’t have to rush again. Day by day, remember?”
My face crumples as I nod, not because I’m sad, but because I’m overcome with happiness. Grayson Wilde is the man of my dreams, and when I left over a decade ago, I didn’t think I’d get him back, so his words are like music to my ears.
The soothing motion of his thumb going back and forth over my knuckles is the only movement either of us makes for a long time.
Standing, Gray holds his hand out, pulling me up when I slip mine into his. He presses his forehead to mine, his breath shaking as he whispers, “I love you, Avery.”
It’s like the angels up above are singing. Joy floods through me, and my mouth stretches into a grin. I’ve missed hearing him say that. “I love you too.”
He closes his eyes, pulling in a deep breath as if he’s trying to ground himself. And then he kisses me, slow, deep, and desperate, like he’s memorizing this moment, but we have a lifetime of kisses and I-love-yous ahead of us. I’m certain of it.
EPILOGUE
GRAYSON
Twelve months later
Lazy Sunday mornings have become my new favorite day of the week. Although I didn’t really have one to start with, but ever since I asked Avery to move in with me, I look forward to them every week.
Avery finished up her tour last week and announced a break from performing at her last show. Although her fans were understandably upset, she’s promised to keep giving them music. It’s why I’m in the process of having a studio built for her by the lake. She doesn’t know it yet, but it’s coming along nicely.
Wyatt has really stepped up to the plate and taken on more responsibility. Especially since I was out on the road with Avery as much as I could be. It doesn’t stop me from being nervous about the Evergreen negotiations, and they aren’t taking place for at least another six months. I know he’s ready, but I have reservations that he’ll be able to put aside his feelings for the Hart family to get us a good deal.
Avery’s blonde hair spills over her pillow, and she has a hand under her cheek as she snores softly. I pick up her left hand, brushing my thumb over her knuckles before dropping a kiss on them. Her eyes flutter open, like she could sense me watching her.
“Good morning,” she sighs, stretching her body out before wriggling across the bed and into my arms.
I rest my chin on her head, letting my hand drift down her spine and over the swell of her ass until I can grip her thigh and lift it onto my hip. “Mornin’, sunshine.”
“Oh.” Avery looks up at me, her mouth slightly agape, before it curves into a sensual smile. “It really is a good morning.”
She reaches between us, squeezing my already hard cock as my hips buck into her hand. I roll her onto her back, rocking against her and wishing more than anything that our clothes weren’t between us.
I kiss my way down her body, starting with her mouth, moving to her jaw, her throat, her chest, her stomach, until I reach my favorite meal. Avery welcomes me, widening her legs as she pulls her nightdress over her head, leaving only the thin scrap of her silk G-string to cover her.
“Baby?” she moans.
I drag my attention away from the damp silk covering her pussy and reply, “Mhmm?”
She cups my cheek, her eyes softening as she says, “I love you.”
Turning my face into her palm, I press a kiss against her soft, warm skin. We’ve done exactly what we said we would, taken this day by day, being there for each other when we can, and without the resentment I held for twelve years. It’s been the happiest twelve months of my life, and the idea that we have many more to go—together—only fills me with joy.
