Page 126 of Caught from Behind

I tell him about my mom and the brother I never got to meet. About what my dad did afterward. About his new family and how he reacted to me at lunch with Nova.

And by the end, we’re both crying.

“I was too scared to have anything meaningful before Riggs. I thought it was because I didn’t want to be tied down, but really, it was fear. Fear that he’ll leave like my dad did. So, I numbed myself when the wants got too hard to ignore, threw up walls when the men got too close—” I exhale in a shudder. “And…I needed someone like Riggs to make me see beyond that.”

“A stubborn, quiet hockey hottie who sees right through the bullshit and goes after what he wants,” Kit says.

My throat has gone tight but I manage to nod, to rasp out, “Yup.”

He grins then sobers, passing me the box of tissues he stole from my station. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”

I take one, wipe my eyes then pass it back so he can do the same. “I’m the one who’s?—”

“—going to stop apologizing to me,” Kit says more firmly than I’ve ever heard him speak. “Just like you’re going to stop holding everything so close to your chest and keep opening up to your friends.”

I crumple up the tissue. “I’m so done with tears.”

“So, we’ll make some happy memories instead.” A pause. “Together.” His mouth twitches. “And with your hockey hottie.”

I snort, but, God, he’s the best.

“You drive a hard bargain, Kit Monohan,” I mock-grumble.

“Well, you’ve spent the last few weeks finding yourself.” He tosses the box of tissues back onto my station. “I think I’ve spent them accepting what I want.” He exhales, eyes coming to mine. “I want someone to love me for me.”

“Kit—”

“And I want you to help me with that.”

My heart rolls over in my chest.

“Will you help me with that?”

I lace my fingers together, stretch them out in front of me. “Oh, honey, I thought you’d never ask.”

“Good.” He picks up my fritter and hands it to me. “Now stop planning my happily ever after and eat,” he orders.

“So bossy all of a sudden.”

His mouth quirks. “You better watch out,” he says. “Because I intend to come to my full power now that I’ve lost the dead weight known as Patton.”

“Damn right, you do.”

I pop the rest of the fritter in my mouth and stand, Kit following suit. “Speaking of that. Do you want to use those newfound powers for good?”

“You mean this isn’t my villain creation story?”

I grin, but when I explain my plan to give Knox a taste of his own medicine, his eyes light up so brightly that I know he’s on my side even before he declares, “I’m in.”

I reach over and hug him. “I’m so glad to have you back in my life.”

“Because I’m awesome.” He buffs his knuckles on his shoulder.

“You really are.”

He nods to the door. “Dinner?”

“How about you join the girls and me at Nova’s place?”

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