Page 102 of One Billion Reasons

I follow him down the boardwalk and back to the beach, where we spent so many summer days, where we had our fight. Where he made love to me. I can’t look at the boulder.

The steps are slick from the morning’s rain, and he helps me down with a hand on my back. It’s good he’s holding me up because my legs are trembling and my heart is pounding. The wind is gusting and the waves are crashing, but all I can focus on is Miles. He pulls me down to the steps and we sit in the damp, side by side, so close, but not touching.

“Did you just give me a building?”

His long legs are nearly brushing mine. My hand on the wood is so close to his.

“I gave you a piece of my family.” His eyes are serious.

“I can’t accept it.”

His mouth turns down. “You signed, right?”

I nod, and he looks pleased.

“Then there’s nothing you can do. The cottage is yours and the deed for the house has already been transferred. I want you to have the house. If you didn’t accept it, I was going to force you to take the apartment.”

My pulse feels like it’s visible through my sweater.

“Why, Miles?” I whisper the words, and his face softens. I think I know the answer, but I need to hear it in his words.

He turns more fully to face me. “I need to tell you something.” He swallows hard. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time. Longer than I’ve ever admitted out loud.”

Thud. Thud. My insides are tangled and hot.

He smiles, just one side of his mouth kicking up. “Not exactly since the day we met, but close. I pined for you like it was my job. You know that, I think. Or you know some of it. But beyond the desire, beyond the need, I always knew that you were my perfect match.”

“But you said you didn’t want to feel anything for me,” I say quietly.

He shuts his eyes briefly. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I was being an idiot. I—” His throat works. “Losing you was one of the worst experiences of my life. And that’s no excuse for how I behaved. I know that. I was just so scared. But I love you. With my whole heart. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

My throat tightens, and my eyes feel hot. “I had no idea. Until recently.”

“I know.” Another faint smile. “To be fair, I didn’t really either. Though all the signs were there, and Liam insists that he knew for years.”

“What signs?” I frown. “I mean, you told me about Cabo and the presents, and all the times you took care of me. Is there more?”

“The tattoo, Lane. Do you recognize it?” His eyes bore into mine.

“I did, but I couldn’t place it.” I frown. The tattoo gave me a sense of déjà vu, but it was hard to say why.

“It’s from a photo. The twin to the one you have in your bedroom.” He fishes his phone out of his pocket and taps it, then shows me the screen. On it is a photo that matches the one in my room, except that instead of looking at the camera, Miles and I are looking at each other. My eyes are on his mouth, and a soft smile plays on his face. We look like we’re in love. And in the background, a wave crests. I brush my fingers against the photo. I can’t believe this. This man, this perfect, amazing man, had a photo of us inked into his skin.

“Holy shit. You had this tattooed on your back? When?”

He nods. “Five years ago. Between that and all the times I rescued you, it should have been obvious that I was in love with you. I’m an idiot.”

He looks away, and my throat starts to tighten. Wonderful man.

“What changed your mind?”

He looks back, his mouth kicking up. “I realized that love makes you strong, not weak. You showed me that this week. Standing by me when I was being criticized, helping me to grieve.” He runs his thumb over the back of my hand where it rests on the wood.

“You showed me that, too.” I tilt my head. “I’m surprised you didn’t see it before. You’re always staying strong for your loved ones, giving away pieces of yourself. You need someone to be selfish for you.” I wrap my hand around his and squeeze. His eyes are molten silver when he looks back at me.

I love you, I tell him with my eyes.

Two heartbeats later, I add, “I can’t accept the house, Miles. You love that house.”

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