Page 160 of Forbidden Lyrics

“Because you’re tiny.”

I quirk my brow. “And?”

“And you went head-to-head with Milo.”

“And?”

“And I found it sexy as hell.”

I snort, dropping my hand to my side. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe. But I’m also in love with you.”

“And?” I repeat, unable to hide my smile or ignore the butterflies flapping away in my stomach anytime he says the L-word. Clearing my throat, I wave my hand toward the empty hallway. “Aren’t we going to go after him?”

With a quick shake of his head, Gibson turns back to his bed and collapses onto it. Facing the ceiling, he cradles the back of his skull with his hands, looking right as rain. “Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Because he had a right to know, and Em wasn’t going to do it without a push. Might as well rip it off like a Band-Aid, right?”

“So you’re cool with this?” I ask.

“I might’ve been a bit more tactful if I’d known he was home, but yeah. It’s time they sort their shit. And it’s time we sort ours.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that my past is officially in the past, and I’m ready to move forward, Dovey. But only if you promise to move forward with me. I love you.”

With a soft smile, I tease, “You mentioned that.”

“Figured I should bring it up one more time since you didn’t return the sentiment.”

“Is someone feeling insecure?”

“With a girl who’s way too far out of my league? Yes. Yes, I am.”

I laugh then tuck myself against his side, resting my head on his warm pec while committing the familiar cadence of his heartbeat to memory.

After a few seconds, I challenge, “Even when said girl has already returned the sentiment?”

“Maybe I need to hear it again.”

With another light laugh, I lift my head and push my white-blonde hair over one shoulder before kissing his cheek. “I love you, Gibson Hayes, and I can’t wait to move forward with you.”

“And to give me babies,” he adds.

“You’re joking, right?”

His grin is contagious. “Maybe not right now, but one day. Yeah. I want that. And you already promised. No take-backs, Dovey.”

“No take-backs, Gibson,” I confirm. My heart swells like the Grinch’s in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. So much so that I’m close to bursting. With love. Lust. Adoration. Excitement. And maybe a little gratitude too. For his past and how it brought us together in the most unconventional way possible. But I wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I want forever with you,” I assert. “And that includes babies, and concerts, and everything else in between.”

“Good. But first, we’re gonna travel the world together.”

My eyes widen. “The world?”

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