Page 63 of Doc's Decision

"All right darlin', just spit it out already," I say, forcing a chuckle. "What the hell is on your mind?"

She twists a lock of blonde hair around her finger, biting her plump bottom lip.

Fuck, the way she does that drives me wild.

I push down the surge of lust.

Now isn’t the time.

Mandy takes a deep breath, like she's steeling herself. "Doc, these past weeks with you and Kash...it's meant everything to me."

I nod, meeting her intense gaze. "Me too, baby. You know that."

She smiles, but it's shaky.

Tears glimmer in her eyes and it's like a fist around my heart.

Is she about to end things with me?

I can’t think of another reason she’d be all teary eyed.

My voice is hoarse as I ask her what I’m thinking about. "Hey, what's wrong?"

A thousand horrible scenarios fly through my head—she's leaving, she regrets us, I'm not enough for her.

Goddamn insecurities rearing their ugly heads.

Mandy shakes her head, sucking in a stuttered breath. "Nothing's wrong. I just... I need you to know how much you mean to me. How much this—us—means to me."

Relief courses through my veins but the nervous energy still buzzes beneath my skin.

I now cup her face in my hands, searching her hazel eyes.

They're deep pools I could drown in. "I feel the same way, darlin'. You're everything to me. You and Kash."

A tear slips down her cheek and I brush it away with my thumb.

She leans into my touch, nuzzling her soft skin against my calloused hand.

My chest constricts with an emotion I'm scared to name.

Mandy places her hand over mine, interlocking our fingers. "Darren, I—" she pauses for a moment and it just about kills me. "I love you. I love you so god damn much.”

Another tear falls, followed by another.

I’ve never seen her cry, but damn she’s beautiful doing it. "I love Kash, and I love everything about us. You've taught me what I deserve, and I'm so glad to have this with you."

The words hit me square in the chest, stealing the breath from my lungs.

I never thought I'd hear those three little words from her perfect lips.

Never thought I'd feel this all-consuming love for another person besides my son.

But here we are.

And it's the most incredible feeling in the world.

I crush my mouth to hers, pouring every ounce of emotion into the kiss.

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