Page 123 of My Best Years

“Since we’re making promises,” I catch my breath, “I need you to make me a promise, too.”

His smile fades as his blue eyes search mine.

“Anything,” he replies.

“Promise me that you’ll never give up on us. Promise me that you will never walk away again, Callum. No matter how hard life gets.”

My heart skips a beat when he tightens his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

“I promise you, baby,” he vows, “I will never let you go again. The time I spent without you was the worst years of my existence. And Birdie, I swear on my last breath, I will make it my life’s mission from here forward to wake up every day and give you my best years.”

My best years.

I love the sound of that.

“I promise to do the same,” I breathe. “No matter what obstacles come our way, I vow to give you my best years, Callum Pierce.”

His eyes heat as they lower to my lips.

“Come here, Birdie Wren,” he says, reaching for my face and crushing his mouth to mine.

And then, we seal our promises with an unforgettable kiss.

THIRTY-FOUR

Callum

“There’s my boy,” I grin as Ollie greets me when I walk through the front door. “How's it going, buddy?”

He wags his tail in response.

“Good,” I chuckle, scratching the top of his head.

I close the door, slip my suit jacket down my arms, and hang it on the coat rack.

“What a day…” I grumble, popping open the top buttons of my shirt.

Court was a bitch today, and to make matters worse, it was with a judge that I can’t fucking stand. He’s a cold, heartless bastard.

I’m just happy to be home.

“Where’s my girl?” I bellow, desperate to have Birdie in my arms. She worked the early shift at the hospital today, so she has the evening off.

I walk further into the house and stop in my tracks when I catch a glimpse of the living room.

Birdie’s sitting on the couch with a wide grin stretched across her face, staring directly at me.She looks so damn cute.

She’s in a white tank top and pink pajama shorts with little strawberries printed on the cotton fabric. Her tousled blonde waves tumble over her shoulders, looking just as relaxed as she does.

God, she’s so beautiful.

I shift my gaze to the coffee table in front of the couch to find a large pizza box, a bottle of wine, and a big bowl of buttery popcorn.

I smile from ear to ear as I walk into the living room, take a seat on the couch, and pull Birdie into my lap. Her arms instinctively go around my neck as her legs wrap around my waist, clinging to me like a koala.

It’s been one week since my appointment with Dr. Sharpe, and I have to admit, my mood is slowly improving. But one thing is for damn sure; I don’t know where I’d be without Birdie by my side. Since I got the news, she’s done something special for me each day. She’s an actual angel on earth.

“Hi, baby,” I mutter against her lips.

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