Page 106 of Home With You

I snuggle up next to him, resting my head on his chest.

"Sit up a little," he says. When I do, he slips his arm under me. "Okay."

I lay back on his chest and feel him pulling me closer. His other arm closes around my back and I feel him kiss my head. "Goodnight, Raine."

Having him here, being in his arms, I realize how calm I feel. And safe. For the first time in all my months of sleeping outside, I feel safe.

"I love you, Miles," I say, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

Silence follows and my heart races, fearing I said the wrong thing. I freaked him out. He wasn't ready. Or maybe he doesn't feel the same way.

I start to pull away, but his arms tighten around me.

"I love you, too, Raine. More than you know."

My body relaxes and my heart slows back to normal. And then I smile because I know for sure that this is real. I told Gladys I couldn't trust myself to know. That I'd been wrong about love in the past. But this time? This time I know. There's no doubt. No second guessing. No weird feeling in my gut telling me something's off. This time I know it's real.

Morning arrives before I want it to and when Miles wakes me up, it's still dark.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"Just after five. I have to get to the office. I didn't get enough work done last night so I need to get in early. Let's go. You can go back to sleep at my place."

I get up and start gathering my things. Feeling him staring at me, I look back at him. "What?"

"You're not going to fight me on it?"

"Not this time. I really like your bed."

He comes up behind me, his arms circling around me as he kisses my cheek. "Is that all you like?"

"I might like the owner of the bed too."

"Just like?"

I flip to face him. "I more than like him but it's hard for me to say that so don't expect to hear it again. Or ever."

"Ever?" His brows rise. "That's a long time. You know, I've heard it gets easier the more you say it. Maybe if you just practiced a little."

I smile, rolling my eyes.

"I'll show you." He leans down to my ear. "I love you, Raine. I love you, I love you, I love you." He backs away. "See? It got easier each time."

"Good to know." I turn back to my stuff and fold up my blanket.

"What time's the coffee shop open?" he asks.

"They should be open now."

"Let's go get some breakfast."

We leave the tent and go to the coffee shop, greeted by the sound of the coffee grinder and espresso machine. The place is half-full already with office workers getting their caffeine fix before the day starts.

"Hey, guys!" Zoe says, walking up to us. "You're here early."

"So are you," I say. "You're working the morning shift now?"

"Just today. I'm taking Gladys to the doctor this afternoon so I switched shifts with the night manager."

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