Wait.There.
The logo for the outdoor store. That was it, and those beautifully-fitted jeans stretched over that perfect ass definitely belonged to Devin.
He was still there. He hadn’t even taken his jeans off yet.
I wasn’t too late.
Did I call out to him? Would that be embarrassing?
Why was he standing alone? Shouldn’t Brad have been hovering next to him?
I hesitated a moment longer, and then the decision was out of my hands. Devin turned, scanning the crowd, and then his eyes fell on me, widening like a cartoon character’s.
My feet were moving before my brain kicked into gear, already closing the distance between us.
Devin dropped his bag on the ground—he must’ve taken his kayak to the washing station already—and moved to meet me, jumping into my arms once he was close enough, wrapping his own around my neck.
And then bursting into tears.
All of a sudden, the fight didn’t matter anymore. The only thing that mattered was that Devin was crying, and I wanted to soothe him.
I splayed my hands over his back, holding him protectively, letting the feel of his body against mine sink in. Surviving a whole lifetime without ever doing this again would’ve been impossible. Devin was made to fit against me, and I knew no one else would ever feel quite the same.
“I’m so sorry,” he murmured. “I never meant to hurt you, I didn’tmeanit. I don’t deserve you.”
“I know you didn’t mean it,” I said softly, rubbing circles on his back as he hiccupped against my chest. “And there’s nothing in the world you don’t deserve.”
Devin sobbed, hugging me tighter, his hands trembling as he curled his fingers into my shirt.
I hauled him up into my arms without thinking, lifting him clear off the ground and feeling relief course through me as his legs wrapped around my waist, clinging to me. This was where I wanted Devin always. As close as possible.
“You’re right,” he said. “Thisisstupid. This whole thing.”
“No it’s not. It’s not stupid.You’renot stupid. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel that way, least of all me.”
“I do feel stupid,” Devin whimpered miserably. “I nearly lost you over whatBradthought.”
“You’re not gonna lose me until the day you tell me to get lost,” I said, meaning it. Devin was it. The way I’d felt when I thought he might never speak to me again—with good reason—told me beyond all doubt how precious he was.
“Ididtell you to get lost,” Devin pointed out, pulling away to look me in the eyes, easing himself back down to the ground.
Just as well, my legs were still killing me and I could only hold him up so long. Dropping him might’ve ruined what I wanted to say next.
“Guess you’re stuck with me, then.” I paused to stroke his hair out of his face, tucking it behind his ear. “I love you.”
There. I’d said it.
As soon as the words were out, I realized how long I’d been holding them in for. Months, at least. Maybe years.
I loved Devin. Loved him with my entire heart. And he wasn’t ever going to lose me. Not for as long as he wanted me.
“You’re gonna make me cry again,” Devin said, blinking up at me. “I don’t deserve that.”
“You do deserve it, but it also kinda doesn’t matter. You’vegotit. Me. For as long as you want.”
“Could be a while,” Devin sniffed, rubbing at his already red eyes. “Kinda thinking I love you too, so…”
My hand was curling around the back of his neck before he could get the rest out, lips pressed against his, a happy sigh welling up in my chest.
