Page 90 of Worth the Risk

He doesn’t say anything right away. Instead, he reaches down and slides his hand beneath mine, his fingers threading through mine. I look up at him, our hands now joined on his leg, and he gives me that soft, understanding smile that makes my heart ache in the best way.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty for loving me,” he says quietly. “You deserve to be happy, Taylor. We both do.”

I swallow hard, emotions tightening in my chest. As I lean into him, resting my forehead against his shoulder, the scent of him calms the storm inside me. “I know,” I whisper. “And I am happy, Austin. I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

His expression softens, and he pulls me closer, his arm wrapping around my shoulders as I rest my head against his chest. “You don’t have to feel guilty about it anymore. We’re here now.”

“I know,” I whisper, feeling the weight of all those years lift off my chest. “And I’m so glad we are.”

We sit in silence for a moment, just the two of us, the world outside moving at its usual pace while we’re suspended in this peaceful bubble. I close my eyes, letting the sound of his heartbeat steady me and feeling the warmth of his skin beneathmy hand. This is what I’ve wanted for so long—this quiet certainty, this love that feels like home.

“What do you think about the future?” I ask softly, my fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on his thigh. “What do you want for us?”

Austin tilts his head back, staring up at the ceiling for a moment before he answers. “I want everything with you,” he says, his voice low and certain. “I want a family. I want kids running around, driving us crazy. I want us to build a life together, one that’s full of love and laughter and…us.”

I glance down at my hand on his leg, the diamond on my finger catching the light again. The ring is stunning and elegant, exactly what I would have chosen. More evidence that Austin doesn’t just know me, he knows me in ways nobody ever has or ever will.

“I love you,” I say quietly, the words spilling out without hesitation. I’ve said them before, but they feel different now. More real, more rooted.

“I love you too,” he replies, lifting our joined hands to kiss the back of mine. “More than anything.”

I pull out my phone and, without thinking too much about it, snap a quick picture of our hands resting on his leg, the engagement ring sparkling in the center of the frame. Austin chuckles, raising an eyebrow as I type on the screen.

“What are you doing?” he asks, his voice teasing.

“Posting it,” I say, grinning as I hit the button. “No caption. Just…this.”

I show him the screen, where the image is now out there for everyone to see. No explanation. No words needed. Just us.

Austin laughs, shaking his head in that endearing way he does. “You’re something else, you know that?”

I lean into him and rest my head against his shoulder again, feeling the way his body relaxes into mine. “So are you.”

He pulls me in closer, kissing me softly, and for the first time in a long time, everything feels exactly how it’s supposed to be. How it’s meant to be.

It’s risky to jump in with both feet, but it’s worth the risk. This moment, this love—us—it’s worth risking everything.

Epilogue-Austin

THE WEDDING…

The early afternoon light spills through the window as I stand by the floor-length mirror and adjust my tie for the fifth time.

My fingers feel clumsy, and I can't help but laugh at how nervous I am. A quick glance at the clock tells me that in less than an hour, I’ll be standing on the rooftop of this building, overlooking Chicago, waiting for Taylor to become my wife.

A soft knock at the door interrupts my thoughts, and without waiting for a reply, Taylor slips in, wearing the white satin robe I saw her put on this morning. Her hair cascades over her shoulders in loose waves, and even though she’s not yet in her wedding dress, I’m struck by how ethereal she looks.

“What are you doing?” I say, spinning around to look at her. “I’m not supposed to see you before the wedding.”

“It’s bad luck, I hear,” she teases, leaning against the door frame.

“You’re willing to risk it?”

She shrugs. “I just needed a moment with you.” When she reaches me, she rests her hands against my chest, the warmth of her touch reaching through the layers of my suit.

I cup her face gently, and for a second, everything else fades as I stare into her eyes.

The world becomes just us. Just this moment.

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