Griffin’s thumbs were gently rubbing up and down my arms, igniting my entire body.
“What secret?” Kynzleigh squealed. “Tell me. Tell me. Are they bringing it back? Oh, I do love a good secret.” She zipped her lips and locked them.
“Unfortunately, no can do.” I smiled. “My contract is airtight. And Griff and I agreed that there would be no discussion of work during date night.”
“Facts,” Griffin said.
I reached back and fisted the hem of his shirt. “If you don’t mind,” I said to Kynzleigh. “I’m going to put theseboots to good use and let my husband lead me around the dance floor.” I gave her a finger wave and tugged Griffin behind me.
As we stepped onto the dance floor, Charlie’s whole face lit up. She blew us a quick kiss.
Cash winked. “All right, everybody,” he said into the microphone. “Let’s slow it down.”
He and Charlie began humming the intro to “Please, Come Home Tonight.”
Griffin and I found an empty spot toward the front of the crowd. I slipped my hands around his neck—terrified and overwhelmed, yet undaunted.
He was stiff, and his lungs seemed to work double time. “Is this for real, or are you going to rug-pull me as soon as Kynzleigh walks out of the restaurant?”
I tipped my head back toward Theo and Kynzleigh. “You think I’d kiss you like that for show?”
Griffin said nothing, lips tight.
I lifted his hand from my waist and flipped it over, palm up. “It’s real. As long as you never take this off again.” I pressed a kiss over his wedding band.
“Never,” he vowed, voice like sandpaper. “Not for anything.”
“Good.” I pulled his forehead to mine, my fingers twirling the back of his hair. “I’m sorry I told you to stay away and that I don’t love you. I was just scared. I want you, Griff. So much.”
“I want you too,” he said. “But you already know that.”
“No more leaving, okay? You can’t do that to me ever again.”
“I won’t.” He crushed me to him, burying his face in my hair. “I promise. Wherever you are, that’s where I belong. I’ll never stay away again.”
“Good. Because…” My breath hitched. “My entire life, I felt lost. Nothing felt like home, not with my mom and not after. I’d given up thinking I’d ever belong anywhere. And then I met you, and suddenly, there it was—the feeling I’d always craved.” I leaned my head on his shoulder, my mouth near his ear. “Then you left, and it was like I was lost all over again. I can’t tell you what that did to me.”
“I’m so sorry.” His nose pressed into my cheek. “If it helps, for the first time in my life, I felt completely lost too. I can’t even breathe without you. You’re home for me, Jules.” His hands framed my face. “I missed you every day.”
My palms flattened over his and I closed my eyes. “Me too.”
“We choose each other from now on,” he said. “No matter what else happens, we have to put our marriage first. Agree?”
“Agree.” I nodded, my nose brushing his.
That one word might as well have been a renewal of our vows for the way it settled into my bones. My fears were quiet, leaving nothing but gratitude and peace in their place. And love. Always love. For him.
And if that were true…
I gathered my courage and said just above the music, “We don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. We can move back to Phoenix.”
His head dropped back and his chest shook with fake sobs. “Are you serious?” He laughed. “Too late now. I just signed a contract with HFD.” His head tipped to the side. “I thought you loved it here.”
“I do,” I admitted. “But I don’t want you resenting me ten years down the road. You are more important than where we live.” Even if going back terrified me.
“Yeah.” He shook his head again slowly. “Well, I don’t want you resenting me either. So I think we should stay. At least for now.”
Tell him. He’s so relieved you’re back together; it’s the best time to break the news.
