Page 66 of Aisle Come Back to You

He tilts his head to the side, his mouth twisting into a devilish smirk. “That doesn’t sound all that bad.”

We laugh together as I dip my head. “Don’t you worry, there will be plenty of time for you to play grab-ass later,” I say, lowering my voice once more.

“You know,” he starts, and I can sense from the change in tone that this conversation is about to take a more serious turn. “I’m more than grateful to know that I have you tonight, and tomorrow as well, but what happens after Sunday?”

I let out a sigh, especially since there’s a reason I’ve been putting off this conversation. “I’m not sure. I mean, I want to cancel my ticket and I’m nowhere near ready to say goodbye just yet, but what happens after the initial magic and excitement of this new thing wears off? Even more, I’m going to need a job and a way to make money. I can’t live off hopes, dreams, and love forever.”

“First off, what we have is real and too damn special to ever truly wear off,” he confidently says, brushing those worries aside. “I’m always going to be in love with you, Blair, and every single day I plan to fall deeper and deeper in love. There’s never going to be a single day where I don’t plan on showing you just how deep that love goes.”

“Okay, I believe you.” I smile, my heart bubbling with excitement as he continues to find new ways to amaze me while I fall deeper and harder for him each and every day, too. “Even so, you never answered my other question. Unfortunately, good vibes and love aren’t what will pay the bills.”

Luckily, my substantial savings could provide me with some financial security, as the bands I toured with covered a lot of my expenses, like lodging and food. However, I’m aware that relying solely on this money has its limits, and while I appreciate the support my family and friends will likely offer, I’ve also never been someone who enjoys exploiting the kindness of others.

“We’ll figure it out. You’re a photographer, and an amazing one at that. People here need pictures too,” he points out. “Didn’t Ronnie complain to you about how hard it was to find a decent photographer for her wedding, and how she had to find someone a few towns over to travel and make the trip?”

As I mull it over in my head, it isn’t the worst idea I’ve ever heard. “That could be an option,” I agree, my lips tightening as I anxiously bite down on my bottom lip.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, clearly noting my silence and unease. “Just tell me. We’ll figure this all out together. You don’t have to do any of this alone. I’m here for you.”

“I know, and I really do want to figure something out, especially since the idea of being back around you and Miles is so incredibly tempting. Plus, I feel like Ronnie is going to need a huge support system, but what if I can’t handle it here again?I mean, come on. There’s a reason I chose to leave in the first place.”

“You mean, it wasn’t just to get away from me?” He smirks as I roll my eyes.

“Well, maybe that was a small part of it,” I acknowledge with a small laugh. “But an even bigger part of me has never really believed that I fit in here. What if I try again, only to realize that all those worries and insecurities were valid as I discover I don’t fit in or belong here? I’m already so in love with you, and I worry about giving in only to realize that I have to leave you all over again. That would be beyond devastating—it would truly kill me, Ford.”

“First off, you belong here. Second, if for some reason you ever feel like you don’t fit in and have to leave, then you’re not leaving alone. I’ll follow you anywhere. It’s you and me, Blair bear. Now that I have you, you need to understand that I’m never, ever letting you go again.”

Even if I had just playfully teased him about this position, I release his hand, wrap my arms around his neck, and press my lips against his as his firm hands encircle my waist.

I finally pull back enough for my eyes to gaze into his. “I love you so much,” I confess, somehow wishing my words could truly convey the full weight of my emotions.

“I love you too,” he repeats, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. As tempted as I am to kiss him again or find a secluded spot to demonstrate the depth of my love, I acknowledge that this isn’t exactly the most appropriate setting. If you don’t want to become the talk of the town, it’s better to limit your public displays of affection.

We’d also promised the Prescotts that we’d stay the entire time to help and handle any possible drama that arises tonight. The constant questioning about the wedding details and its cancellation has taken its toll on all of us, but thankfully, mostpeople brought their questions to us, and not to the Prescotts. Not that we told them anything interesting—we know better than to feed the monster, and instead insisted that this was a personal matter and that both Pete and Ronnie would prefer their privacy at this time.

“Finally,” a familiar voice says next to us as we look over and spot Helen, the official owner of The Steamy Bean, and her husband dancing nearby. “You two make the cutest couple and it’s about time you made it official. I’m pretty sure the entire town has been taking bets on when you’d finally get together.”

My cheeks redden as I look down and a soft laugh escapes.

“You’re officially together now, right?” she presses, clearly here to get the full scope of gossip.

“Yes, we’re together,” I confirm, and I turn my attention back to Ford, who can’t seem to fight the immense grin lighting up his face.

“We are,” Ford agrees. “And feel free to let everyone know that Blair Bennett is officially mine and that she’s planning on sticking around for a while.”

“Can do,” she agrees with a nod and a chuckle of her own. “And I better you see guys coming into my shop together on the regular,” she playfully teases as she points a not-so-threatening finger in our direction.

“Don’t worry, we will. I’m pretty sure I missed your muffins more than I missed Ford when I was away,” I assure her with a teasing wink.

She laughs with us. “That’s good to know. And Blair,” she starts up again as she reaches out a hand and places it on my arm, “it’s good to have you back.”

“Thanks. It’s good to be back,” I say, and for once, I truly mean it. I may have a complicated past with this town, but more importantly, there are way too many wonderful memories that outweigh the bad.

Even more, I’m looking forward to making new and better ones with my favorite people by my side. Maybe what they say about home not being a place, but a person is true, because being right here, wrapped in Ford’s arms, I officially feel at home for the first time in a really long time.

35

Ford

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