I step close to him, feeling his warmth and steady breath.
My hands come up before I think about it, settling against his jaw. “Thank you.”
His brows pull together. “For what?”
“For not doing that control thing again.”
Understanding settles in his expression, slow and certain.
“I almost did,” he admits. “Habit.” He takes a steadying breath, his eyes searching mine. “I used to think I had to control everything around you to keep you safe. But seeing you here, choosing me, I realized I don’t have to hold on so tight. Besides….” He winks. “I’ve already saved you from the bad guy, and we have a beautiful baby waiting at home for us. He doesn’t stand a chance going up against me now.”
My lips draw upward. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” His hand comes up, covering mine where it rests against his face. Warm. Solid. His thumb brushes along my skin, sending a shiver along my spine.
“I’m done with not trusting you. In believing I’m not good enough for you.” His expression is serious.
I believe him. That’s the difference. “He was never part of this.”
Jake’s thumb brushes lightly against my wrist. “I know.”
I lean in, letting my forehead rest against his, closing my eyes to hold on to the contentment I feel at realizing how far we’ve come together. I shouldn’t have worried about his reaction when I saw Spencer.
I know he trusts me. I know he believes in me. I know exactly how much he wants me.
For a second, the noise of the bar fades out completely, and I sigh.
“You’re still here,” he murmurs as his lips graze my temple.
I laugh. “Yeah.” Like that was ever a question.
His grip tightens slightly around my hand. “Good.”
I lace my fingers through his, grounding myself in the feel of him. "I’m not going anywhere."
Jake’s gaze holds mine. “I know. I love you, Pretty Girl. How about I take you home and show you how much you mean to me?”
“Do you happen to have any of Jolie’s Triple Chocolate Cake?”
He winks. “I just might.”
“Then, I think I’d like that.” I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his lips. “I love you, too.” I say against his mouth.
Spencer is long forgotten. And this time, there’s nothing left to misunderstand.
Chapter Eighty-Nine
Emily
Three Months Later
As Dale flashes the lights behind Louise’s car, I tap the toe of my combat boots on the ambulance floorboard. Louise’s hands remain at the 10 and 2 position on her steering wheel, pointed straight down the street.
“Seriously?” I growl and pat my fingertips on my pants. Could this day get any worse?
Okay, it’s not the worst day I’ve ever had. We successfully transported our patient to the nearest ER, alive and with no additional incidents, so that’s a positive. I’m sure our patient thinks it’s positive as well.
But now, I’m three hours past shift change and about to crawl out of my skin.
