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“There was no way I was giving up, Tillie. Not until you were mine,” Cody promised, setting me down on my feet and crowding me against the wall before cupping my face in his hands.

“I’m yours, Cody. As long as you’ll have me. But I’m a package deal. River and I …”

“Are my whole world. Both of you!” Cody declared, not once flinching.

“Thank you, Cody. Thank you for being you. Thank you for understanding. For being patient. For loving me. For loving River. I don’t know how we got so lucky, but you’re stuck with us now.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” Cody replied, ignoring the tears streaming down his face like they weren’t even there. His lips found mine, and our kiss was unlike anything we’d shared. This kiss was filled with a love and tenderness I never thought I’d have again.

When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead against mine, his breathing ragged. “I guess there’s only one thing left to do,” he murmured.

I heard his words, and my heart felt like it was about to explode out of my chest. I had no idea what would come next, and I was equally terrified and excited to find out.

“Wh-what’s that?” My voice trembled with nerves.

“For you and River to move in with me and let me take care of you until we’re old and gray. You’ve been taking care of everyone else for so long. It’s time to let someone take care of you, Tillie. And I want to be that man for you. For you and River both. All you have to do is let me.”

“Cody.” I sighed.

“Just say yes, Tillie. That’s all you have to do. Say yes.”

It wasn’t a choice. My heart had already made my decision, even if my head was a little slower to catch up.

Looking up into Cody’s mesmerizing cognac eyes, I found myself nodding. “Yes. Yes, Cody. I want all of that with you and so much more.” Now I had tears cascading down my cheeks, and my heart cracked wide open, Cody taking his place right there in the center. I’d never forget Sean and everything he gave me, but he was my past, and it was time to start living my future. For the first time, I couldn’t wait to see what the world had in store for us.

THE END

Chapter twenty-seven

Epilogue - Tillie

“Hurry up, Mom! We’re going to miss it!” River accused as he tried to drag me by my hand toward the stadium.

There were people everywhere. All dressed in blue, in different versions of the team uniforms. Flags waved. Giant foam fingers pointed up at the sky. Kids bounced happily along, their faces painted, while their parents tried to tame their enthusiasm.

“We won’t miss it,” I attempted to assure him, but River wasn’t having it. He’d been looking forward to this for the past two weeks. I swear every single person he’d come across knew he was going to be at this afternoon’s game.

I tightened my hold on his hand, trying not to lose him in the crush as we veered away from the main entrance. He looked so adorable in his bluebonnet shirt with Cody’s name and number proudly emblazoned across his back. To say River idolized Cody was an understatement. Together, they were trouble. Cody encouraged him, but it was his unwavering and never-ending patience that I found sexiest.

We made it to the gate, and River was actually vibrating. We showed our passes, were given directions to the elevator, and headed up to the suite. I’d tried to tell Cody we didn’t need anything fancy and normal seats would be fine, but he refused to listen.

“Ms. Hooper?” a man in a suit greeted us at the door.

“Yes?”

“Come on in. Mr. Lucas has organized everything.” He ushered us through the door into the most beautiful suite I could’ve imagined. It had floor-to-ceiling windows looking right out over third base. Sliding doors opened out onto open seating with unobstructed views across the field. The grass was so green, and everything was so perfect.

While I stood with my mouth gaping like a crazy woman, someone cleared their throat behind me.

“Excuse me, Ms. Hooper,” the man interrupted.

“Yes?”

“If there’s anything else you need or want, please just ask. Mr. Lucas made it very clear that you were to have everything you wanted.”

“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” I assured him.

He looked unconvinced but kept it to himself. “I’ll be right outside if you think of anything.”