Page 107
“Baby, I’d be calling you mine years ago.”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
“Yes, Lettie baby. Really.”
“I don’t want to be the only one calling all the shots, because I want to do it together.” She pauses and takes a large gulp. “Can we be together?” Her voice is soft and sweet.
My throat grows tight. “You want to be together? For real?”
“If that’s okay with you.”
My eyes burn, and I swipe away some wetness pooling at the corners.
“Yeah,” I choke out and nod. I clear my throat and add, “Of course. I would love to be with you officially if that’s what you’re suggesting.
“I am.” Her words rush out: “Ellaview.”
I frown and rub my fingers through my beard.
Ellaview? What’s that?
She slows it down, but only by a beat. “Ellayou.”
“Who’s Ella?” My voice is ice, and my jaw is clenched.
She scrunches her nose. “What?”
“Ella view. Ella you. I’m not following you.” I glance around the room for answers, but nothing comes.
“Maybe I’m screwing this up because I haven’t said these words in a long time, but…” She takes a long breath. “I love you!” she says, loud and clear.
Heat radiates through my chest, and my mouth hangs open. “What?”
Her cheeks redden, my favorite color on her, and she stammers. “I…I love you. You don’t have to say it back or anything, but I wanted to be your brave girl.”
I throw an arm around her and hike her onto my lap.
“You will always be my brave girl. And of course I’m going to say those words back. I love you, Lettie. I’ve loved you for a long time, but never thought you’d be ready to hear those words from me.”
“I’m ready,” she says, her eyes directly on mine.
“Ready to tell your brother?” I tease, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. I am.”
I bob my head. “He might know.”
“I don’t think he knows. I think Annie is suspicious, though.”
“Are you sure about being official and out?” I ask. “We can always take a step back if it gets to be too much.”
“I only want to move forward with you,” she says, as I envelop her in a deep kiss.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Calvin
Iknock on Sebastian’s door and take a deep breath.
