“You can practice baking all day, every day,” I said.
“What should we celebrateafterCole falling in love?” Haven teased. “Even though he’s been in love for months now.”
The conversation rolled easily around us, and I soaked it all in. Later, we walked back toward the barn apartment. Halfway there, Adele stopped. She tipped her head back to look at the sky.
“Oh, I love it here,” she breathed, her tone reverent. “The stars are amazing.”
I leaned back to let my gaze scan the stars. “Do you know the constellations?”
“Just the main ones. Big Dipper. Little Dipper.” She pointed at each.
I chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Maybe that’s something we could do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Learn the constellations. If you pay attention to the ceilings in the barn apartment, they’re all there.”
She squeezed my hand again.
“Now can we get inside?” I asked.
Her eyes met mine. “Are you in a hurry?”
“Yes,” I said firmly.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
COLE
Wolverine love
Althoughneedwas pounding through me like an impatient fist on a door, the emotion I felt was so powerful, it caught me in a riptide.
Even though it hadn’t been that long. Even though she’d been here all along. I was so relieved to be in Adele’s presence with that last wall between us gone. That distance combined with how worried I’d been about her had left me feeling fragile and uncertain inside.
Once we were inside, Adele stood near the kitchen counter, twisting her hands. “Are you okay, Cole?” she asked, her voice quiet.
I took a slow breath and felt tears threatening. As I stopped in front of her, my hand was nearly shaking when I lifted it to cup her cheek. “I’m okay.” I paused. “This scared me.”
“I’m sorry about—” she began, but I shook my head.
“You don’t need to explain anything.” I swallowed. “I may not be an expert on life or love, but for crying out loud, you don’t have to apologize for your heart rate getting out of whack.” I brushed my thumb across her cheekbone. “And now Iunderstandwhy it happens. Rowan explained it really well. Even if it happens again, you’re going to be okay.”
Adele blinked, a wobbly smile curling her lips. “I am. Thank you for being there for me today.”
“Always.” I stepped closer, nudging her chin up as I kissed her briefly before I rested my forehead against hers. “I love you, Adele Jacks,” I whispered the words like a vow. “I knew the moment I met you that I’d never forget you. I just didn’t realize it meant I’d never want to let you out of my sight.”
She giggled softly, the sound brushing my lips. “You tripped a wolverine.”
“I did.” I grinned. “And I’d do it all over again.”
“Would you now?”
“Absolutely.”
She rose up on her toes and closed the space between us. In that moment, I forgot everything but Adele, how much I loved her, and how much I wanted her to be with me forever.
What followed was a tangled hot mess. There was no finesse. I wanted her too much. Our clothes came off in a messy rush, strewn across the floor. I wanted to get to the bedroom and make it special, but that was too far away. So the couch it was. I dragged her onto my lap, and she straddled me.
