“All your stuff. Your sweet, round ass will move in completely,” I say, leaving no room for argument.
She frowns. “And the apartment?”
“Management can rent it to someone else.”
“Okay.” Tilting her head, she studies my face. “How did it go?”
“The usual, trying to get you to say shit they can misinterpret.” I huff. “They’re going to be on your tail. I’m sorry.”
She shrugs, unperturbed by the nuisance. “I’m a big girl. I can handle them.”
We bring the rest of her belongings to my place, and she unpacks a box, placing stuff next to mine in the closet. I like that; it feels more like us.
“I talked to your dad,” I inform her.
“And?” Her eyes widen into two curious orbs.
I scratch my neck. “I think in his own way, he is giving me a chance.”
“Good, because I won’t give you up ever again. I could give up everything, but not you.”
I kneel in front of her and take her hands in mine. “It’s the same for me.”
She nods, beaming, and we spend the rest of the afternoon unpacking her stuff.
When we go back to her apartment, she looks at the empty space. “I didn’t even live here for long. It never quite felt like mine.”
I tuck her to my side, kissing the top of her head. “Maybe because the one across from it was supposed to be yours.”
She leans into me, and when she locks the door, something else shifts into place. She’ll be staying with me. For good.
It is one of the essential steps toward where I want us to go.
I want it all with her, as corny as it might sound—her walking down the aisle to me, our house somewhere quaint and our kids playing.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks, looking up at me.
I sweep her up off her feet, twirling her around. “About the future.”
About the glorious future we’re going to have. I intend to give her a life that she falls in love with daily, just like with me.
“And what does it look like?” she asks breathlessly.
Placing her down, I bring my forehead to hers. “I’d rather show you, starting with today.”
She palms my chest. My heartbeat quickens at her touch, recognizing who owns it. “I knew it even then that you were it. But I ignored that small voice, thinking I was hearing things. My heart recognized you and it said that. I wish I had listened to my gut.”
Our eyes lock, just like our hearts.
My eyes will never perceive another woman.
My heart won’t ever allow another one in.
But her.
I am hers. Entirely hers.
“We were meant to be. Finding each other again proves that. Whatever it was, I’m thankful that I stepped out of the car and my feet carried me to you.”
