Page 31 of You Had Me At Valentine

Eventually, I’ll forgive my father. One thing at a time.

Byron swipes at my cheek with his thumb, his palm cupping my chin. “I love you, Lyra MacLellan. I choose you, always and forever. The way I should have ten years ago.”

“I love you too.” Difficult to fathom, but I think I love him more in this moment than I did before. “I might possibly never have stopped.”

“Same.” He squeezes his eyes shut. “I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.”

“It makes it what it is. A cautionary tale. So don’t screw up. We can never be apart again now that we know what it feels like.”

“I can totally get on board with that.” His expression sobers. “You know I didn’t tell you about your father’s deal because Ididn’t want to cause a rift between you two. It wasn’t malicious or self-serving. Ever.”

I nod. “It’s not yours to control, though. I deserve to know the truth about everything that affects me.”

“I’ve learned that lesson the hard way. Let me spend every second of every day making it up to you.”

This time when his lips meet mine, there are no more secrets between us. No more lies. Just this moment, this truth, this choice we’re making together.

That’s what love is to me. Not grand gestures or hidden valentines, but two people choosing each other every day. Building something real.

One kiss at a time.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” I whisper against his mouth.

His answering smile tastes like possibility. Like forever.

Like home.

Epilogue

Byron

Four months later...

The MacLellan Inn has always felt like home, but never more than on mornings like this. Dawn spills through the stained-glass windows, painting rainbows across the polished wood floors as I make my daily inspection rounds.

My inspection rounds. At our inn.

Well, technicallyLyra’sinn, since she owns the majority stake. But after a few months of living and breathing every aspect of this place, it feels as much a part of me as my law degree. Which, incidentally, still comes in handy—just not in the way I originally planned.

“You’re up early.” Lyra’s voice carries from the stairs, and my heart does the same flip it’s done every morning since she agreed to marry me. “Please tell me you made coffee.”

“What kind of partner would I be if I didn’t?” I hold up two mugs as she descends the last few steps. “Though I’m not the one who had a marathon budget meeting with their father until midnight.”

The fact that Lachlan MacLellan spent three hours reviewing our books last night still amazes me. But watching him and Lyra work together, seeing them rebuild their relationship one spreadsheet at a time—it’s the kind of progress I wasn’t sure we’d see.

“He says we’re exceeding projections.” She accepts her coffee and leans into my side. “Though he spent half the meeting critiquing our website.”

“The great Lachlan MacLellan, web design expert?”

“He’s actually right about the SEO strategy.” She rolls her eyes but her smile stays soft. The kind that tells me she’s healing. “And if you tell him I said that, I’ll deny everything.”

Things are still complicated with Lachlan, but they’re working on it. He started dropping by occasionally a month ago to see the renovations—and to update us on how Sarah Taylor is doing as the resort’s new manager. From what I understand, Lachlan grudgingly agrees she operates the place almost as well as Lyradid. He also mentioned he’s found a new lawyer. I choose to take all of that as progress.

“Speaking of criticism.” I set my mug on the front desk. “Judy sent another email about our breakfast offerings. Apparently, we’re still getting it wrong.”

“She’s just mad she’s having too much fun being retired to come fix it herself.” Lyra grins. “Though she did promise to help with the next Valentine’s Day party. And Leith said he’ll try to come back for it, if his shooting schedule allows.”

“Your movie star brother is finally gracing us with his presence?” I can’t help but tease. “Should I alert the media?”

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