I turn to face him, in utter shock as I say, “Theo, how?”
“There was a wholesale candy store in Boston. Lamar drove us up there and we purchased practically everything. Then we found a sticker store and got some rolls for pretty cheap. I know you envisioned so much more for that section, but at least it’s a place we can start.”
“And I put in an order for postcards,” Tilly says, stepping in. “So we should have a little more than just the stickers.”
“I…I can’t believe this. But what about the bathroom and…and the register and…”
“They’re all things we can figure out in the next few days. Instead of wallpaper, we can just paint the bathroom walls for now. Rupert is figuring out the register as we speak. Lamar has a friend who wants to do a media piece on you forWake Up Boston, and we are all here to help set everything up the way that you want it. Not to mention, Tilly has a friend who is going to do the inspection for us.” He grips my chin and looks me square in the eyes. “You are not a failure. This store will open, and it will be wonderful. You’ve gotten this far, Gossy. Don’t give up now.”
Tears stream down my cheeks, the feeling of being overwhelmed taking over as I try to comprehend what he’s saying. I spent the last twenty-four hours depressed, trying to mourn the loss of something I’ve wanted for so long, that I’ve worked so hard on, only for it to come back to life because of the people who are so close to me.
“Thank you,” I say, my lip quivering. “Thank you so much, Theo.”
“Anything for you, love,” he says and then lowers his mouth to mine, lightly capturing it.
God, I’ve missed him. It feels like a year since I’ve last been able to press my lips to his, rest in his arms, and stare at his handsome face.
I’ve felt empty.
Lost.
Like I didn’t know how to even go about my day without him here, and now that he is, it’s like he’s a beacon guiding me to where I need to be and what I need to do, despite me being the one who has always taught him.
He’s the light.
He’s the joy.
He’s everything I need.
And I can say without a doubt that this selfless man that I happened to match with over the internet is my love.
I love him.
Truly.
From the depths of my soul, I love him.
And I want to tell him, the words are on the tip of my tongue, but as he pulls away, his smile driving me mad with need for this man, I realize this is not the time.
I don’t want him to think I’m saying those three very important words because of what he did for me, because of his being here, helping with the shop. I want him to know outside of the shop. Outside of him saving my plummeting dream.
I want him to know that I love him because of…well, him.
“Shall we start unboxing candy?”
“We shall,” I say before cupping his cheek and kissing him one more time. “Thank you, Theo. Thank you for everything.” He rests his forehead against mine. “For believing in me. For not giving up. For…for coming back even though you had no idea how much I needed you.”
“I told you we would make it work.”
“But what about your father? The title.”
“Told him to fuck off.”
“Seriously?” I ask, stunned that he would do such a thing.
He nods and rubs his hand up and down my back soothingly. “You changed me, Renley. You showed me my potential, whatI could offer besides the name attached to me. You brought me out of a fog I didn’t know I was living in, and I didn’t want to lose that. I need this, you and me. I want it. So I told him to fuck off.”
“Oh my God.” I chuckle and then hug him tighter. “Are you here, forever?”
