Page 87 of Fated Shot

“Uhh, it’s still nice out, do you wanna go for a walk?—or um, maybe we could—”

“Jack?” Her voice pulls me in, and I can’t seem to look away from her face. I’ve never seen anything quite so beautiful.

“Yes, Mia?” Embarrassed as hell or not, I’d stare at her all day if I could.

She takes a moment, softly closing her eyes before re-opening them.

“I love you.” Her small but mighty voice causes me to pause.

I blink twice, unable to formulate words as my heart starts thundering in my chest. It’s like a weight is lifting off of my body in the relief that comes flooding in. Did she just say she loves me? She lovesme?

“You—love me?”

Her smile, the one with the ability to shatter me into a million pieces, draws my eyes as she gives a certain nod.

“W-why?” I don’t mean to ask it, but the disbelief just slips out.

“You’re kind.” She kisses my right cheek.

“Considerate.” Kissing my left cheek.

“Fiercely protective,” she whispers against my forehead before marking it with another kiss.

“Generous.” This time, her lips brush the tip of my nose. “And everything I didn’t know I could have.”

She says it so convincingly I almost believe her words. This angel on earth, my sunshine, my everything, just said she loves me.

“You don’t need to say anything, I just wanted you to know,” she adds before wrapping her arms around me and nuzzling into my neck. I breathe in her fruity scent, her hair falling around my face.

Wrapping her tighter, I cement her against my body.

“I feel like I can’t fucking breathe when you’re not around. I want to spend every day with you, every moment with you.”

At my words, her heart starts hammering in her chest.

“I knew it from the first moment I saw you. Something just clicked, it was like you were made just for me.” She looks at me once again with those brilliant, breathtaking eyes. “By some fucking miracle, you were sent to me. My own little sunshine, lighting up my world one quiet morning in Wyndham. I still can’t believe it, but I will never take it for granted.”

I cup her face, swiping a single tear rolling down her freckled cheek.

It’s unbelievable I don’t melt from the way she’s looking at me. There’s so much sincerity and vulnerability in her expression. She smiles her beautiful smile, the one that I’d rather die than take away, and I know I’m done for.

“I am so madly in love with you, Mia.”

EPILOGUE

Six Months Later

Mia

“Turn it up, this one’s a banger!” Penn calls from the backseat, already shamelessly belting out the words to the pop song blaring on the radio.

I laugh, turning the volume dial up on Jack’s car.

“Remind me again just why exactly you had to come along?” Jack grumbles, shaking his head while staring at the road ahead.

“Oh, be nice, we’re super happy you’re here. Isn’t that right, Bean?” I turn around to peek at the cutie sitting on Penn’s lap, gazing happily out the window. He lets out an excited trill when he spots me looking.

“Thank you,Mia. It’s nice to know someone around here appreciates my company. Other than you, Bean. I know you love your Uncle Penn, don’tcha boy?” He starts scratching under Bean’s chin, who tilts it happily in the air, eyes closing in contentment.

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