“Hi,” she said. “What are you doing here, Cooper?”
I inched closer to her. Reaching out, I brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I came to tell you something.”
She searched my eyes. “Something good?”
I kissed her. And she let me. “I think so,” I murmured against her lips. “But you have to decide.”
“It’s a good thing you’re here because I have something to tell you, too.”
“Can I go first?” I asked, not wanting to prolong anything. “I just…” I picked up her hands and kissed her knuckles. “I need to say this.”
Nodding, she told me, “Permission granted.”
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I don’t need from space from you. I already know I can’t live another moment without you.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “You can’t?”
I shook my head. “I thought I’d never want Rosewood Heights to be my home again. But home is not just a place to lay my head. Home ishere—” I placed her hand over my heart. “—with you and Mehki. And if you’re here, I’m here.”
Closing her eyes, she whispered, “Promise?”
“Promise.” I brushed my lips against hers, enjoying her low moan. “I love you.”
She sucked in a deep breath. “I love you, too.”
I wiped the tears from her cheeks. “What did you want to tell me?”
Smiling, she said, “I actually only have one more thing to say.”
“What is it?”
“Welcome home.”
