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“Then tell me what you want.” Wayne's breath caught. “I know what I don’t want. I don't want you to go. I want you here. In my barn, in my life, in my bed. I want all of it.” His hands were shaking. “I love you. I should have said it days ago, but I was too much of a coward. I love you, Jess Hartley. And if you stay, I promise I'll work on the walls. I'll try to be brave enough to deserve you.”

The tears spilled over. “That's not fair.”

“What's not fair?”

“Saying all of that when I'm trying to make a rational decision.” But she was smiling through the tears. “Give me a reason to stay that's not just about feelings. Something concrete.”

“The winter art fair,” Wayne said immediately. “You want to show your work, prove you can build a career here. Stay for that. Apply. Show everyone what you can do.”

“And after the fair?”

“After the fair, we figure it out together. Maybe you stay, maybe you go to San Francisco for a while and come back. Maybe we do long distance. I don't care, as long as we're trying.”

Jess studied his face for a long moment. “The fundraiser is in three days.”

“I know.”

“We haven't practiced since the fight.”

“We can practice tomorrow. Or we can wing it. I don't care about the fundraiser.” He reached for her hands, relief flooding through him when she let him take them. “I just care about you. About us.”

“I've decided,” she said quietly. “About the fundraiser.”

Wayne's heart stopped. This was it. She'd made her choice, and he had to respect it, even if it killed him.

“Whatever you decided, I'll support it.” The words came out steadier than he felt. He meant them, even though his chest was tight with fear. “I want you to have the career you deserve, Jess. Even if that means—”

“I'm staying.”

Wayne's breath caught. “What?”

“I will stay for the fundraiser.” A small smile played at her lips. “I might even apply to the winter fair. Zoey's been connecting me with galleries in Asheville and Atlanta—real interest, Wayne, not just maybes. I've got commissions lined up. I could build something here.”

“You're staying.” He said it like he needed to hear it again to believe it.

“For now. For my career. For the life I want to build.” She squeezed his hands. “Not because of you—though you're definitely a factor. But because this is where I can make the art I actually want to make. Where I can build something that's mine.”

Relief crashed over him so hard his knees went weak. “Jess—”

“But Wayne?” Her expression turned serious. “I need you to understand—I'm not staying so you can take care of me or rescue me or whatever. I'm building my own career. Making my own way. You get to be part of that if you want, but you don't get to be the reason for it.”

“I know.” He pulled her closer, close enough that their foreheads touched. “I don't want to be your reason. I just want to be part of your life. However that works. Whatever that looks like.”

“Yeah?” Her voice was softer now, hopeful.

“Yeah.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you. And I know that's not why you're staying, but I needed you to know. I love you, Jess Hartley. And if you'll let me, I want to be there while you build this career. Want to work beside you and watch you succeed and be so fucking proud of you.”

She tilted her face up, and Wayne kissed her.

It was desperate and tender and full of everything he couldn't put into words. Jess made a small sound and kissed him back, her hands fisting in his shirt.

“I'm still mad at you,” she murmured against his mouth.

“I know.”

“And I'm still scared you'll panic again.”

“I probably will. But I won't run.” He kissed her again, slower. “I'm going to be brave enough—for you, for us.”

“Okay.” She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. “But Wayne? I need you to be honest with me. About what you want. About what you can handle. No more pushing me away and then apologizing.”

“I can do that.” He kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her mouth. “I'll do better. I promise.”

“Good. Because I love you too, you idiot.” Her smile was watery but genuine. “And I would love to make my staying here permanent, turn down the San Francisco offer. But I need to know you're in this for real.”

“I'm in this.” Wayne cupped her face in his hands. “All the way. Whatever it takes.”