Page 82 of Pucks and Coffee

She gives me a pointed look. “Where the hell would I go?”

It’s just that simple for her. She only wants to be with me, and honestly, it’s the same for me.

As I gaze into her eyes, I know one thing for sure. “Eliza.”

She blinks before her eyes go wide. “Yes, Coleson?”

My heart beats wildly in my chest, but I ignore it. “I love you.”

Her jaw goes slack as she leans down, pressing her nose to mine while our eyes stay locked. “I know.” My lips twitch, and she grins down at me. “And I love you too.”

My heart sings for her, but I whisper, “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

She shrugs. “Everything and then some. We’ll be together, though, and all will be fine.”

I shake my head, wishing I had an ounce of her sunny disposition. “I should let you go. I shouldn’t burden you with all this.”

“It’s not a burden,” she whispers back, her eyes searching mine. “It’s a bump in our road. No matter what, we’ll be happy ’cause we’re together.”

Emotion burns in my throat. “I’m in awe of you.”

“And I of you, Coleson,” she says with so much love in her eyes. “It’s not going to be easy, but I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

I search her eyes. “Are you sure you want that?”

“Yes,” she says simply. “I want you, and I know if our roles were reversed, you’d be right beside me.”

“I would,” I say, more as a promise than a statement. “Always.”

“I know,” she agrees, kissing my top lip. “I’ve been busy.”

I grin. “No way. Tell me more.”

She smacks me playfully. “I’m working on getting us a rental property that’s one story and accessible since you’ll be in a wheelchair for a couple weeks. It’s here in Nashville because I want to be by your surgeon and his team of physical therapists. I’m gonna travel between Knoxville and here twice a week to make sure the coffeehouse is running smoothly. But I think we should give Janie a raise to be manager since I can’t be in two places at once. It’s gonna be a lot of work, but you’ll skate again, Coleson. If that’s what you want.”

I hold her gaze, not surprised she has a plan and is ready to execute it. The woman is a force to be reckoned with. “I just want you,” I admit, bringing her closer than ever. “Kiss me, Wife.”

Her eyes light up before she presses her lips to mine. It’s a soft and careful kiss that has me groaning in frustration. “You’re going to baby me, aren’t you?”

She beams. “Yup.”

“And ignore my bitching?”

“Totally.”

“And make me fall even more in love with you than I already am?”

“That’s a done deal,” she says with a wink.

I chuckle softly. “How did I get so lucky?”

God, I love the sparkle in her eyes. “I’ve told you this. You didn’t let those damn bears eat me.”

“I think I knew I loved you then, Eliza.”

Her eyes dance with mine. “Probably not, but it’s a cute thought.”

“Spicy,” I tease, and we both dissolve in laughter. The sound fills the room, until it doesn’t since our lips meet once more. The kiss is once again careful and slow, but I don’t care. I’ll take kisses like these for the rest of my life, as long as she’s the one I’m kissing.

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