“I swear that—” She stops me, placing her finger gently against my lips.
“I never want to feel like that again.”
“Never, Jordan. I promise I’ll never let you feel like that.”
“You’ve been the first guy who’s ever made me feel like a woman who’s worth the effort.”
I take her hand. “And you’re the first woman who’s made me feel like a man who’s worth the effort.”
“My agreement is simple.” She holds my gaze, steady. “No more agreements.”
I shake my head, incredulous.
“Just you and me.”
“Seriously?”
She nods. “I want to trust you. I want to believe. I want…” She sighs, and when she speaks again, her voice is heavy with emotion. “I want to love you. But only if you want to love me.”
I hold her face between my hands.
“No promises, and no lies, Niall. Just everything that we are.”
Oh, fuck.
“About that… I have to tell you something right now. I don’t want us to start off on the wrong foot.”
She stares worriedly at me.
“I’d already turned down that job offer. It was Tyler’s idea to tell you that I’d accept it if you didn’t give me a reason to stay. I shouldn’t have listened to him, but he’s a fucking fireman! Who doesn’t trust a fireman?”
Luckily, she laughs.
Maybe I’ll make it out of this one alive, too.
“I would never have left. I want to stay here, with you. With my daughter. I want a family.”
Her eyes liquify. “Are you serious?”
“I want everything. And I only want it with you.”
“All I want is you.”
I sigh, close to tears; but first, I have to know something.
“Tell me where to sign.”
“Here.”
She lifts onto her tiptoes and leans her lips into mine. “Sign here.”
Epilogue
Jordan
“Do you need a hand, honey?” I call to Skylar from outside her bedroom door.
“No, it’s okay.”
