Page 75 of The Road Sometimes Taken

I blink. “Acontract?” My mouth feels dry.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d believe my words,” she replies, almost shy now. “So I figured if I showed you in yourbusinesslanguage, it would make more sense.”

I can’t hold back a smile; a genuine, full-blown smile that stretches across my face. This—this is insane. It’s ridiculous and adorable and makes me want to pick her up and kiss her until neither of us can breathe. The way she’s looking at me now, thehope and fear tangled up in her eyes, it’s everything I’ve wanted.Everything.

I can’t stop myself from laughing softly. It’s a mix of disbelief and pure joy. “What would make sense, Carita?” I ask, my voice teasing but soft. My heart is still pounding. I’m still overwhelmed.

And then she looks at me—really looks at me—and says the simplest thing, the one thing that pushes every last wall I’ve built around myself crashing down.

“That I love you, you goof.”

The words land like a bomb, and I feel them in my chest, like the world just made sense. I’m shaking. My hands want to reach for her, to pull her into me. But I hold back, not because I’m unsure, but because I want to take this moment in. I want to soak in every piece of her—every word, every small gesture, the way she’s standing there, so vulnerable, so perfectlyherself.

She loves me.

I never thought I’d hear those words. Hell, I never thought I’d get tofeelthis. And now, here it is—her love, like a gift, like something so pure that it makes everything else fade into the background.

I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to respond to this. But I do know one thing: I’m not letting go. Not now, not ever.

And as I reach for her, pulling her close, I whisper into her ear, “You don’t know how much I needed to hear that. But you know I’m not a lawyer though, right?”

She giggles, bringing her hands to her mouth and then responding, “Then maybe you can take the time and teach me what it is that you do in this fancy office of yours.”

“Cara, I don’t need any of that. I just need you. I was willing to take whatever you would give me and this, this ismore that I could’ve imagined. In case it’s not obvious, I love you, too.”

“You do?” she asks, putting some space between us as she looks me in the eyes, tears finally falling from her eyes as she looks at me with a soft smile.

“I do, Cara Thompson. I’ve loved you all my life. It’s about time for you to let me show you.” I bring her closer, kissing her softly, bringing my hands to her neck and not letting her go. Her lips taste salty from the tears and like lemon scones, just as she always tastes. Sweet and citrusy, the perfect blend. I’m lost in this kiss when I hear a soft yelp and let go to look around.

“What the hell? Did you hear that?” I whisper looking around and she laughs loudly.

“Mm, yeah, about that. I came here ready to fight dirty if I had to.”

“Is that why you’re wearing that sexy-ass Legally Blonde inspired outfit?” I don’t know how many times I watched that movie growing up but it was enough to know that Elle Woods would approve of this moment.

“Yuuuup aaaaaand….. why I brought this,” she adds, lowering her giant bag to the ground and pulling out the tiniest and fluffiest puppy I’ve ever seen.

“Cara, what is that?” I ask, taking the puppy from her hands.

“This is Foster. Our double doodle.”

“Our double doodle?” A dog? She brought a dog?

“Yeah, I adopted him today. I was planning on fostering, hence the name, but then he needed a forever home. Didn’t you, pup?” she coos, rubbing his head. “He’s coming home with me but maybe you can stop by and we can figure all of this out? I’m ready to give this a try, Manny. We don’t have to move in together or anything like that, but I’m ready for us to give this areal chance.I’m ready to let you love me if you let me love you back. I want us to be on the road for longer, Manny.”

“We’ve wandered down the road sometimes taken, but now it’s not a path you’ll ever leave—it's ours forever. Is that what you want, Cara?”

“I want to at least try,” she says.

“Fuck trying. You were made for me, Carita mia. For me.” I kiss her again, with the puppy in my hands and with the promise of what’s to come. I don’t need anything in the world but this girl in my arms now and until the end of times.

EPILOGUE

I LOVE YOU, ALEX & SIERRA

One and a half years later

Cara

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