She turned it into a damn movement.
And watching her?
Watching her stand there, confident, strong, completely in her element?—
Yeah.
I’ve never been prouder of anything in my life.
Not the ranch.
Not the money.
Not the work.
Her.
Always her.
Because she did this.
On her own.
And knowing that?
Knowing she never needed me?—
That she chooses me anyway?
That hits deeper than anything else ever could.
She catches me watching her.
Of course she does.
She always does.
Her smile softens, just a little, just for me.
Then she shuts off the camera and heads my way.
“You’ve been staring,” she says when she reaches me, slipping into my space like she belongs there.
Because she does.
“Can’t help it,” I mutter, dragging her closer, my hand settling on her hip like it’s always been meant to be there. “You’re somethin’ else, Ezzy.”
She laughs, ducking her head, but I catch her chin and tilt it back up.
“No,” I tell her, serious now. “I mean it. I’m proud of you.”
Her eyes soften.
That look again.
The one that still gets me every damn time.
“Thank you,” she says quietly.
