Page 91 of Veiled Yearning

“A normal Thanksgiving does.” Jules laughs lightly. “But we can drink wine and play board games and just enjoy being together.”

I meet her gaze. “I think it’s a great idea.”

Once it’s completely dark, Chiara and I settle by one of the fire pits, and I scoop her onto my lap. Everyone is still here, now talking in small groups, their faces illuminated by the orange glow of flames and the sparkle lights that do indeed look magical.

She rests her head on my shoulder, her hair falling in a silk curtain down my back. “This is really nice, isn’t it?”

I kiss the top of her head. “It is. Everyone is having a great time.”

“I never thought I could have this,” she says softly. “Love. Friends. I thought living alone in my cabin would have to be enough.”

Love sweeps through me so quickly it steals my breath. “You deserve everything, Chiara. Everything you want. And I’ll spend my life making sure you have it.”

“Gav.” Her lips brush along my jaw. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, gorgeous. With all my heart.”

We fall into a comfortable silence, staring at the crackling flames in front of us, and I’ve never felt more at peace.

A few minutes later, Frederick appears. He stands to the side of us, Cait tucked protectively into his arm. “Can we join you? Unless you’d like some privacy.”

Chiara lifts her head. “Of course you can.” She gestures at the chairs across from us. “You’re always welcome. You know that.”

But it almost wasn’t this way. I could have lost the man I consider my brother. If not for Cait, and her big heart convincing Frederick to give me another chance…

Frederick sinks into the chair across the fire pit, and Cait plops on his lap, just as Chiara is in mine. His face is a contrast of light and shadow, and he stares across the fire for a few seconds before speaking.

“I’m happy for you, brother.”

My throat goes unexpectedly tight. “Thank you. I didn’t… I never expected…”

“Neither did I.” He lifts his chin at me. “But everything happens just as it’s meant to. With Cait and I. Now you and Chiara.”

“Yes.” I cast a soft glance at the woman in my arms. “After all this time. I didn’t dare to hope. And now—”

“Now you’re in love.” Cait grins at me. “You fell, just like I knew you would.”

“I did.”

Chiara kisses my cheek. “I never thought it could happen, either. But then this infuriating man barged into my cabin.”

Frederick chuckles. “Infuriating is one way to describe Gavril.”

“But.” She holds my gaze, showing me all the love she has for me. “I couldn’t not fall in love with Gavril. He’s the perfect man for me.”

Oh.

How did I get here? How did I get so lucky?

The gruff, emotionless Gavril is gone.

Instead, in front of my closest friend and his wife, I bare everything to the woman who holds my heart.

“I love you, Chiara. Thank you for giving me a chance.”

And then.

I’d planned to do it later, in private, but this feels right.

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