He nodded. “I don’t know how to do this.”
“Me either.” She paused. “Maybe we take it slow. Learn to trust ourselves. Learn to trust each other.”
He touched his forehead to hers. “Be imperfect together?”
“It may be the only way,” she whispered.
“You have beensomeoneto me since you nearly knocked me out. I love you.”
“Yeah, you do.” She moved her mouth to kiss him.
His mouth turned liquid as he melted into her. And unbidden a thought occurred as he kissed her and claimed her as his.
* * *
Roshan took Nimita’s hand as they walked to the car, then continued to hold her hand while he drove. He was never letting her go.
“Let’s go to your place for a while,” Nimita said.
Roshan was more than happy to oblige. They entered the house to a super excited Finn.
“Drink?” he asked her once Finn had calmed down.
“Sure.”
He poured them each a glass of wine and headed for the sofa. “Let’s go up and sit by that window. See the stars you love so much.”
He followed her up the steps and froze when they approached the window. He looked at her. She was grinning from ear to ear.
A telescope was set up and pointing out the open window.
“Did you do this?” he asked as he approached.
“It’s from your dad,” she said. “He owed you one.”
He studied her face. “But this was your idea.”
She grinned. “I knew you were looking for a new passion. And I know how much astronomy used to mean to you.”
His imagination was already firing. “It’s perfect.”
She leaned over and took a quick peek. She moved the scope just a hair and turned to him, mischief on her lips. “Go on. Take a look.”
He bent down and looked. “That’s the Ring Nebula.”
“Hint. Hint.”
He stood and turned to her, not quite believing what was happening. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
“I believe that I am.” There was no shake in her voice, no hesitation. She wanted this. She wanted him.
“My heart has belonged to you for a long time.” He reached out, needing to touch her.
“Is that a yes?”
“That is a promise that I choose you today and every day. A certainty that my heart belongs to you and only you, whatever you decide to do with it. Break it, keep it.” He shook his head. “It’s yours.” He kissed her, and he was home. “Yes. Always yes.”
Epilogue
