“I’m still scared, but not about getting close.” His voice dropped, becoming more intense. “I’m scared of living a life without you in it. I don’t want Atlanta. I want this right here. I want the flower baskets, the gossip, and the ice cream. I want you.”
He reached across the counter and entwined his fingers with mine. “Please forgive me. Let me try. I willshow up for you every single day. Forever, if you’ll let me.”
Every instinct I had honed screamed at me to protect myself, to remember the emptiness of that hotel room. But what I saw in his eyes wasn't just regret. It was resolve. He hadn't returned with pretty words—he had returned with a plan. He had quit his job, found a new place to build a life, and taken a risk that was a thousand times bigger than the one I took signing a loan document.
I squeezed his hand back. “You are a persuasive man. A little infuriating too.”
A flicker of a smile touched his lips. “I know. I’m working on it.”
“Your timing is terrible.”
“Also working on it.”
I looked at him, at the genuine, desperate hope in his eyes, and the last of my defenses crumbled. A smile raised my lips that was only a little shaky. “You really quit your job?”
He nodded, his expression dead serious. “Two-week notice. It was the best feeling of my life. I can be here permanently within a few weeks.”
I couldn't help it. I started laughing, a messy, weird sound of disbelief and relief. Because that’s what happened when the man who broke your heart showed up and proved he was willing to shatter his entire world just for a chance to help you build yours.
The counter between us felt less like a workspace and more like a barrier. I didn’t think, just moved. I planted my hands on the cool granite, hoisted myself up, and swung over, landing in front of him with a slightly unsteady thud. His eyes widened, and a rough, incredulous laugh brokefrom his chest, full of shock and something that looked a lot like hope.
“Brynn—” he started, but I didn’t let him finish.
I launched myself into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck, and kissed him. I kissed him with all the hurt, hope, and lonely weeks I had just endured. It was a hard, wet, desperate kiss, and he met it with a ferocity that matched my own. His hands gripped my butt, holding me tightly as if he were afraid I might disappear.
When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless and smiling like fools.
“So does this mean I get a second chance?”
“Yeah, you big jerk.” I wiped my nose and tried to scowl, but I was smiling too hard. “Because I love you too. Should we celebrate with ice cream?”
As he set me back on my feet, his grin broadened. “How about I take my girlfriend out on an official date? I hear there’s a great resort brewpub on the western edge of the island that makes the best beer in the Lower Keys. Sounds like a great place for a new start.”
“It is. I can vouch for that.”
And he kissed me again. Doris was openly sniffling from the back room, not even pretending not to watch. Our lips melded to each other’s, and it was even sweeter than ice cream.
I’d spent most of my life waiting for something to happen. For someone to choose me, for the world to make sense, for happiness to finally stick. But maybe happiness wasn’t about waiting at all.
Maybe it was about choosing to be brave, even when it scared you.
Especially when it scared you.
