Page 20 of It's Always Us

She comes to me, wrapping her arms around me and sliding them up my back, just like she used to. My body fills with panicked astonishment that this can’t possibly be real. I slide my fingers into the back of her silky hair, holding her to me. This is everything I’ve needed and the only thing I’ll ever want.

I don’t even breathe for fear she’ll disappear or I’ll wake up and find out this is all a dream. I try to take in every inch of her warm body pressed against mine.

She’s here. Thank God.Tears prick my eyes, and I can’t let her go.

After a few long minutes, I risk pulling away, desperate to understand. I bring my hands to her face, keeping her close. “What are you doing here?”

Her tired eyes search mine. “I had to see you.”

I can’t prevent the quick little dip my stomach takes, wondering if this visit isn’t what I want it to be. I search her face in return, searching for clues.

I release her, tugging her inside and noticing she only has the bag on her back. I watch her, still stunned and waiting for her to tell me . . . something.

“I can’t believe you’re here.” My heart is still beating a thousand times a minute. “I thought . . . ” I can’t even finish it.

I think I see one side of her beautiful mouth almost tug upward. “I couldn’t. I called it off months ago.”

It’s all she says.Months ago?I can’t help the foolish smile that creeps across my face. She couldn’t marry him, and my girl still uses as few words as possible.

“Thank God. You have no idea how happy I am to hear that.”

She bites her bottom lip, this time preventing her smile, but it quickly falls away. “Everything you said, was it true?”

“Yes. Every single word.”

Her eyes drop to the floor, and her shoulders sag. “I’m sorry.” Her voice is painfully soft. “I’m so sorry. I have so many—”

I step closer, taking her face in my hands again. “Shhh. It’s ok. You’re here, now.”

My heart pounds to a new rhythm of hope and joy and disbelief. She still feels the same under my fingertips. I breathe in her familiar scent—sunscreen with a hint of car oil.

“Tell me I wasn’t wrong,” I beg, needing to hear her say it. “Tell me what we had was real, that I didn’t make it all up.”

She studies me, her eyes, the lightest blue, trace over my face. “You weren’t wrong.” Her throat bobs as a large knot lodges itself in mine. “It was so real.” Her soft voice quivers as her eyes flick between mine.

I slowly close the distance between us and press my lips to hers. Once. Twice, quick and soft, even though nothing about what is running through me is soft and gentle.

My lips linger on hers, relishing the feel of her mouth on mine and finally being able to accept that this is really happening. It’s like finally coming home.

I slide my fingers into her long strands, and it only takes a second for her to reciprocate my need. She angles her head and parts her lips, and I’m gone. Her hands move over my chest to my neck, holding me close. Heat and desperation collide. As our tongues twine, my hands find her hips seeking more as if years haven’t been more than a day.

I kiss her like I’ve dreamed every night, over and over again, neither of us breaking for air. This is everything I’ve missed and longed for. Her nearness and familiarity. The feel of her body against mine. The taste of her mouth. The way she knows me and cares for me. The kind I’ve never known before or since.

I walk her backward to the edge of the bed, slowing our frantic and hungry kisses. “I love you,” I whisper, bringing my forehead to hers. “I’ve always loved you. I never stopped. Not for a second. I couldn’t.”

Her hands fist my shirt like she’s afraid I’ll disappear.

I never want this to end. I can never go back to life without her. The thought of having to say goodbye to her again is unimaginable. I won’t do it.

I stare into her eyes. “Marry me.”

She blinks. Then, blinks again. “What?”

“Marry me. I want you. All of you. Forever. There isn’t a chance I can go back to life without you. Marry me.”

Her light eyebrows scrunch together. “What?” she asks again, making me smile. “Mark, there’s so much—”

“I don’t care. Marry me. Tonight. Here.”

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