Page 210 of The Song We Lost

He gives me a painstakingly beautiful smile and then he starts to move. Our eyes never leave each other's. Locked in this moment, in this feeling. We alternate making love, talking in whispers and sleeping wrapped in each other. And when I wake up the next morning I know exactly what I need to do.

chapter 53

luke

. . .

My stomach drops the second Bailey’s text comes through.

Bailey

Can you come to the house?

That’s it. No heart emoji or explanation as to why when I woke up this morning I was alone in the recording studio, and immediately every bad thought I’ve ever had about myself comes rushing back. By the time I pull myself together and make my way to the house my chest is so tight I can barely breathe properly.

Because last night felt… Important. Not just sex. Not just finally finding our way back to each other physically. It felt like choosing each other again. Completely.

And now all I can think is maybe I pushed too far. Maybe this morning she woke up and realized loving me again is terrifying. Maybe…

The front door opens before I can spiral any further. Bailey stands there barefoot in jean shorts and one of my old shirts, her hair messy from the wind and sunlight catching against her skin.

Andfuck. Just seeing her calms something inside me instantly.

“You gonna stand there all day?” she asks softly.

I huff out a nervous laugh before climbing the steps. The second I reach the porch Bailey steps forward and presses something cold into my palm. I blink looking down.

A…key?

My brain completely short circuits for a second.

“Bai…”

“Yes.” She responds and I should have paid attention to the joy in her voice.

“The door’s never locked,” I say automatically because apparently I’m an idiot.

Bailey laughs softly.

“I know.” Her fingers slide through mine gently. “But we haven’t really put anything into ityet.”

My breath catches. We spent so long treating this place like somewhere temporary. Somewhere grief lived. Somewhere healing happened in quiet moments when we were hiding from the world. But never fully ours… Until now.

I stare down at the key in my hand for a long second before looking back up at her and suddenly I realize Bailey’s nervous too. That alone nearly destroys me.

“I love you,” she blurts out quickly before she can seem to stop herself.

Every thought in my head disappears.

Bailey laughs shakily at herself before continuing. “I know we still have therapy and hard days and all this complicated stuff we’re figuring out but…” Her eyes shine slightly. “I don’t want to keep standing still anymore.”

I move closer automatically.

“I still need to be there for Cole and Iris,” she says softly. “And there are going to be days where this all still hurts.”

“I know.”

“But Luke…” Her voice catches. “I want to live.”