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She blurts out a laugh, brows drawing together in confusion. “Was what true?”

“Your story.” Though she hasn’t invited me in, I enter her apartment anyway, sidestepping the puddle. She backs up, giving me space, then closes the door. “Was it true? Are you pregnant?”

It happens slowly, the smile beginning to spread. Like the sun breaching the horizon after a long, dark night. That smile illuminates my soul. It makes me wonder how I thought I could get along without her. Who was I trying to kid?

I can’t wait any longer, reaching for her, pulling her into my embrace, though she hasn’t answered yet. “Tell me,” I urge, indulging my hungry hands in familiar curves. “Was that part true?”

“Yes.”

A single word, almost lost against my chest, but she might as well scream it. Yes. She’s pregnant.

“Do you love me?” Pulling my head back, I search her face for the truth. “Was all of it real? Is that how you feel?”

“With all my heart,” she whispers. Her big blue eyes shine with tears that start trickling down her cheeks. “I have missed you every minute. Every second. I kept trying to tell myself to get over it, but this isn’t something you just get over, is it?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“And then I started feeling nauseous and tired. So I took a test.” She offers a tiny shrug and now looks a little pained. “I didn’t know how to tell you. I actually started writing the story before I knew. I only wanted you to know how I feel. The baby was kind of a bonus thing.”

“And you’re all right? You’re healthy, everything’s okay?” I want to devour her here and now, then wrap her in cotton to keep her safe. Nothing has ever been more important.

“I don’t have my first doctor’s appointment for another week, but so far everything seems okay.”

Taking her face in my hands, I release a sigh of relief. “You have no idea how long a three-hour flight can feel when you have all these questions.” And now she’s pressed to my chest again, where she belongs. “I love you. It’s been hell these past weeks.”

“You love me?” she asks in the tiniest whisper. “Really?”

I smile. “I thought letting you go was the best way to love you. I told myself you were better off without me.”

“That’s not true. There’s no me without you anymore.”

“I couldn’t have put it better myself.” My lips brush her forehead, her salty, tearstained cheeks, the tip of her nose. I can’t get enough of her.

“Wait, wait.” She gives her head a shake, then pulls it back to look up at me with concern etched in the lines over the bridge of her nose. “How is this going to work? What about your job? You’re all over the place, all the time. What, do you want me to come with you? I can’t travel the whole time I’m pregnant. And I mean, would we really bring a baby into that?”

“You don’t have to worry about it.” When her mouth opens to protest, I silence her with a kiss that makes my heart soar. It’s almost too good to stop, but she needs to know. I force myself to pull away before reminding her. “Like I said, three hours is a long flight when you have so much to think about. And I already told myself, if your story was true, I would do it. I’ve never been so sure of anything.”

“Do what?”

“As of today, I’m officially retired.”

I have the pleasure of watching her mouth fall open while she tries to process this. Short, sharp breaths come out while her eyelids flutter. “Are you all right?” I pull her to her sofa and sit her down, taking my place next to her, holding her hands. “Take it easy. Breathe.”

“I’m fine.” She laughs, and the sound drips with love I don’t deserve. “You just took me by surprise. That’s a big decision. Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, June. I love you. I can’t live without you.”

I release one of her hands so I can place mine on her belly. It’s still flat, with no hint of the life growing inside. That won’t be the case for long. Anticipation surges through me. “And I want my life to be with you. Because you are my life now. You and this baby. And I know I don’t deserve you,” I continue, touching a finger to her lips to silence her protests. “I don’t. But I want to. That’s my job now. Earning you. Loving you. Building a life with you.”

“Am I dreaming? Please tell me I’m not dreaming. Because I can have very vivid dreams, you know,” she adds. “You wouldn’t believe some of the dreams I’ve had about you since I got home. I’m talking some pretty raunchy stuff.”

I laugh. Fuck, I love this woman. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.” Holding her face in my hands again feels like holding the entire world. “Or maybe you should write it down and we can reenact.”

“That sounds good to me.” She throws her arms around my neck and pulls me in for a deep, slow kiss that’s almost enough to make me wonder if I’m dreaming.

If I am, I’ll kill whoever wakes me up.

Epilogue