"I love that we could improve the flow with this renovation."
"If you're going to do something, you might as well improve on what you had before."And she'd made me a better person in this process."You ready to see your kitchen?"
"Yes, please."She stood next to me, so close I could smell the familiar scent of her shampoo.Where was she staying?Was it a permanent move, or was there still room for me in there somewhere.
I pushed open the door to the kitchen and held it open for her to walk through.
She gasped when she saw the gleaming stainless steel.There were additional storage shelves and a row of refrigerators on the side wall.The ovens on the other and a prep island in the middle.All gorgeous lines.No sharp edges.
"This is amazing."
"It's exactly what we talked about."There shouldn't have been any surprises, but she seemed overwhelmed with emotion.
She ran her hand over the steel surface of the counter."I can't believe it's done, and it's all mine.I can't wait to bake in this kitchen."
"You can start tomorrow morning if you want."Although I was hoping for a lazy morning in bed.
She was so focused on the renovation; I wasn't sure how to broach the subject of us.
"Thank you for your help.If it wasn't for you, it wouldn't be half as good.I would have just restored the kitchen to how it was before.But this is so much better."
If I didn't talk to her now, I'd lose my chance."I wanted to talk to you about the other night."
Her face pinched.
"I was surprised when Tom walked through the door?—"
"We both were," she said simply, meeting my gaze.
My palms felt sweaty."And I didn't handle it the best.I was more focused on Tom's reaction than yours.I should have stood up for our relationship.For us."
She looked away but not before I saw the raw emotion in her eyes.
Buoyed by her reaction, I rushed to add, "I told Tom that I didn't care what he thought about relationship.That I'm in love with you, and I wouldn't let him come between us anymore."
Her gaze swung back to me."What did you say?"
"I said Tom won't come between us anymore."
She waved her hand."No.The other thing."
"I love you."I stepped closer, hoping she wouldn't shut this down."I was going to tell you that night.I wanted to tell you after we were in bed together but then Tom interrupted, and I lost my chance.
Her brows furrowed."I didn't know that."
"I was trying to do it at the perfect time, and I was too late.I made you think that Tom was a deciding factor in our relationship, and he's not.I choose you.I choose us."
"Did you tell him that?"
I shrugged."He's actually fine with us being together, but he doesn't want to know the details."
Her eyes widened.
I took another step forward, needing to be close to her."I'm sorry that I made you feel less than.I never meant for that to happen.You're the most important person in my life."
She looked up at me, tears shining in her eyes.
"Do you think you could give me another chance?Do you think you could love me back?"It was a big risk, asking her, but I intended to be all in.And there was no turning back now.
