Page 45 of Always Heated

“Fuck, that would’ve been scarier. Back then, I don’t think I was ready to love anyone.”

“Have you ever loved someone, other than your family and Cassidy?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Have you experienced a broken heart before? Hurt after a break up?”

“Only once.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I huff a small laugh. “It was Cass. On her birthday, I had the ring and was ready to collect on our decade-old promise. Her boyfriend beat me to it. I felt… rejected. Even though she didn’t know about it. It sounds stupid saying it out loud.”

“Nothing you say or feel in this room is stupid, Travis. Perhaps embarrassed is a better word for it? Were you going to ask her to marry you because of the pact you made, or because you loved her?”

“Both,” I answer honestly. “I felt hopeless, but seeing as they weren’t married, I had time. I had to try.”

“While you can’t change the past, knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently?”

“I would’ve asked her out ten years ago, told her how I felt. I missed a decade with the woman I was always supposed to spend the rest of my life with. I want that time back.”

“Does she know how you feel now?”

“Yes.” I can’t help my smile. “I never thought I could love someone the way I love her. She’s messy and chaotic, full of love and light.” My smile falls. “Until the accident.”

I tell him about the fire and how Cassidy and I have been home for the past two weeks. It hurts to admit I didn’t try harder to get her the help she needs, while Ingrid snapped her fingers and had an appointment scheduled. Though, it may not have gone as I hoped if I pushed her, it could’ve backfired on me. I want to be that person for her, her rock. Maybe people need more than one person to lean on? I have Cay and Cassidy. I also have my dad, Pop, and even Ingrid.

As we wrap up the session, he asks that I come twice a month and suggests couples therapy. Walking away, I’ve never felt lighter. I consider myself an open book but telling everything to a stranger it feels as if a weight has lifted off me.

One thing’s for certain, I’m marrying Cassidy. As soon as she’s in a better place mentally and physically, I’m asking her to be my wife.

travis

. . .

Two Months Later

Cassidy and I have been in therapy for the past couple months. My biggest regret is not going sooner. For years, I held Cass on a pedestal, afraid that if I took the leap I would be rejected. I’ve spent most of my life in fear of loving someone and being loved in return. Cass and I have talked about it a lot when we began couple’s therapy. While there’s nothingwrongwith our relationship, if anything it’s stronger than it’s ever been, we’re taking a proactive approach.

The floral shop grand reopening is tomorrow with a new name: Busy Bee Blooms. She’s decided to not return to her nursing position, but if she ever wanted to go back, I’d support it so long as it doesn’t negatively affect her mental health.

Cass insisted she needed to go to Linton to pick something up before the reopening, and a custom item I had made is ready. Finding the right jeweler has been a pain in the ass, Finding the right jeweler was a pain in the ass, but Caleb found a great one in Linton who made a piece for Ingrid a few years ago and gave me their information.

The original ring I bought for Cass wasn’t special; there are likely hundreds of women in the world who have the same one. With the help of the incredibly talented jeweler, Davis, we designed a custom setting and I was able to use a diamond from one of my grandmother’s earnings. There are trillion-cut garnets on each side of the diamond, set in white gold. According to Davis, garnets represent protection, love, and friendship. I can’t think of anything more fitting. He also added an inscription inside the band that reads: always yours. I know she’ll say yes, yet I’m still nervous as fuck to ask her to marry me.

Cass wouldn’t tell me where she needed to go, only that she needed to pick something up in Linton, asking that I drop her on the corner to not spoil the surprise. After I drop her off, I find a parking spot in front of the jewelry store. I walk in and Davis greets me immediately. “Travis! I wasn’t expecting you for a few days.”

“Me either.” I chuckle. “My girlfriend wanted to come up here to pick something up. Since you said it was ready, I figured I’d do the same.”

He glances at the front door, then back to me. “One minute, I’ll grab your ring.” He steps into the back room and returns with a dark blue velvet box. “Here we go.” As he opens it, a wide grin splits my face—it’s perfect. A moment later, the bell above the door chimes and he looks behind me at the sound. His eyes blow wide and he quickly shuts the box. “Ah, Cassidy, you’re early.”

Cassidy?

I turn to find my blonde bombshell strutting toward us with a small frown. “Travis? What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? What areyoudoing here?” I glance between her and Davis. “What are you supposed to pick up?”

“Nothing,” Cass rushes out. “What areyousupposed to pick up?”

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