Page 69 of My Cruel Salvation

“I want you to help me replace the countertops and varnish the floors. Then I want us to christen all the rooms in the house. I want you to come over on a whim, to sweep me into the bedroom or just to leave flowers on the doorstep. I want you to call me late at night and we can watch a show together, like in When Harry Met Sally.”

That makes him grin, and he reaches out, brushing the pad of his thumb over my cheek. “You want the romance.”

“I have romance,” I tell him. “I want the storybook. I want what we never got when we were young. I think we deserve it.” I pause, trying to read his reaction, but he’s got his corporate face on, and I can’t be sure of what’s in his head. “Are you mad?”

“Mad?” Now I can see what he’s thinking—he’s incredulous. “Mad? Not at all. I’m—I’m not sure. I think I’m strangely flattered.”

“Really? You really understand?”

“I do. And even if I didn’t, I’d accept that’s what you want.”

I didn’t think it was possible to be happier than I’d been when that garage door rose, but I am. “You’re really okay with it?”

He taps his lower lip, making a show of thinking. “You said there were dates?”

“Lots of dates,” I assure him.

“And sleepovers?”

“I can’t guarantee much sleeping,” I tease, “but in theory, yes.”

“Then yes. I am really okay with this.”

“Yeah?” My voice is soft, almost shy, and I don’t know why.

He holds my gaze for a moment, then cups the back of my head. “All I want is you, baby. Don’t you know that?”

“Then we’re even. Because you’re all I want, too. And my fancy wedding dress with the season’s designer shoes. I just don’t want that last part right now.”

“Except for the shoes,” Devlin says.

I laugh. “It’s like you know me.”

I don’t even realize that we’ve stood and started walking again until we’re already a ways down the beach. We’re talking about nothing and everything. About life, about our past, about our memories, about how wonderful it is that despite all the torment that we suffered in our tumultuous relationship that we were able to end up at this point. A solid couple. Together.

I never wanted anything when I was young other than to be Alex Leto’s girl, and now that he’s Devlin Saint, he’s still all I want. One day, he’ll put a ring on my finger. And I’m holding tight to that future, excited by the adventures we’ll have as we move toward it.

It’s not until we reach the north edge of town where the cliffs start to rise from the sand that I realize where we are. We’re standing right in front of Uncle Peter’s house. It’s one of the few houses in Laguna Cortez that’s on the beach side of the highway. It’s a stunning contemporary with lots of glass and beautiful views.

“Some of my best memories are here,” I say. “And you’re in all of them.”

“And some of your worst memories, too,” he says.

I nod. “You leaving. That’s my worst memory of all.” I sigh deeply “But you’re back. And you’re mine. So I guess it all worked out all right.” I shoot him a cocky grin and he laughs.

“I love you.”

“You better.”

“I really want to be home with you right now,” he says.

I flash him a wicked grin. “Well, maybe we should hurry back.”

“I like that idea. We have to stop in and pick up those files, but as soon as the box is in my hands, we can take Shelby home.”

Our return walk is much faster than our leisurely walk to Peter’s house. We’re back at the foundation in record time, and on the way Devlin texts Tamra to make sure that she’s already left the file box at reception. I check my phone at the same time, and see that I missed a call from Brandy. I consider calling her back, but Devlin frowns and says we should hurry.

“What’s going on?”