Page 93 of Shea's Hero

Oliver’s body relaxes as some of the tension drains out of it. “Okay?”

“First. You join me for a couple of my counseling sessions. Partly to talk about what happened today, but also to work through our guilt. Both of ours. How does that sound?”

“If that’s what you want to do, I’m happy to.”

“Good.” I give him a kiss for emphasis. “Next, we’re going home. To your place. As soon as possible.”

“What about your house?”

“No. Not now.” Or maybe never. Because I’ve found I love living with Oliver, and Sleepy Hollow has really grown on me. But maybe I’ll save that for another conversation. “If you want more security, it makes sense for us to be together, and closer to your work and B and A. Unless you… unless you don’t want me there?”

“Of course I do.” Oliver hugs me, kissing me on the forehead. “I absolutely want you to stay with me.” A beat, and then, “It feels likeourhouse, if I’m being honest.”

Oh.

“It feels like that for me, too.”

“So… is that it?” Cautious optimism chases the darkness from his eyes. “Counseling? And going home as soon as possible?”

“One more thing.”

“Okay?”

“If you’re upset, or feeling guilty, or worried, I want you to talk to me. Don’t worry about stressing me out. What you told me about wanting to know? It’s the same for me. We’re a team, and that means we hold each other up when things are hard.Sometimes I’ll be the one who needs support, and sometimes you will. I want to be that person for you. Your support. Your partner. And one day… Well. I’m in this. With you. And I’m not going anywhere.”

There’s a long pause as Oliver just looks at me, emotion working in his gaze. “Good.” His lips cover mine for a second before he adds, “I’m not going anywhere, either.”

Then he pauses. Takes a deep breath. “I know now isn’t the time, Shea. Not today. But I promise you. One day in the not too distant future, Iwillask you to be my wife.”

“Oll.”

“Is that okay?”

“Yes.” My heart swells. “It’s absolutely okay. And when you ask, the answer will be yes.”

CHAPTER 20

OLIVER

“This place is beautiful, isn’t it?”

Shea glances away from me for a moment, her gaze setting on the majestic landscape in the distance. The sun is just setting, its vibrant oranges and golds just beginning to dip below the outline of Whiteface Mountain. Mirror Lake shimmers just below it, the water touched with the same vibrant colors, and lights are just winking on in the tiny buildings scattered along the shore.

Turning back to me, she adds, “I’m glad we decided to eat outside tonight. The view from here is amazing. The pictures online don’t do it justice, do they?”

“The viewisamazing,” I agree. “But not as beautiful as you.”

“Oll.” She laughs, her face lighting up with it. “That was so cheesy.”

“Maybe. But it’s true.” Reaching across the table, I take her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb across the back of it, just the way she likes. “You look incredible.”

Not that she doesn’t always, but tonight Shea just has thisglow. Her cheeks are pink from earlier today, when we rented a canoe and paddled around Mirror Lake before stopping indowntown Lake Placid to have a picnic near the beach. The candles set at the center of the table cast a warm glow across her skin, and the light catches the flecks of silver and gold in her eyes.

That’s not even taking into account her dress, perhaps my favorite one yet. It’s pale blue with a flowy skirt that seems to float when she walks, and the top part has these delicate strings that come around her neck and crisscross in the back. Her bare shoulders and arms are tanned and sleek with muscle, with just a hint of shimmer from that lotion she likes so much.

Without a doubt, Shea is the most beautiful woman in the restaurant, and I saw more than a few second glances at her while the host brought us to our table. But as always, she was oblivious to them, her eyes only on me.

It’s no different for me; I’d never look at another woman like that. Not when I have Shea.

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