Page 141 of Done Waiting

“Yeah. It is.” My voice is low, my heart full. My eyes drift back to my mom’s tombstone. “I’m glad I came here.”

“Good. I hope that means you’ll come again?”

My gaze moves to hers. “As long as you’re with me, I’ll visit her grave again.”

“Where else would I be, Jagger? I’m always by your side.”

I wrap my arms around her petite frame. “And I’m always by your side, baby girl.” My lips press against hers, and the memory of our first kiss assaults me. “Even when you don’t know I’m there.”

She laughs. “Stalker.”

I chuckle, then grow serious, my hands cupping her face. “Do you remember our first kiss?”

Her hands cup my face. “As if I’d ever forget. I remember it like it happened yesterday.” She gives me a sexy grin. “I don’t know if you can call that a kiss. It wasso much more.” She searches my face. “There’s only one word I can think of to describe that incredibly breathtaking first kiss.”

I raise my brows. “What’s that?”

“Home.”

Nodding, I don’t need her to say anything else because I understand it exactly. It’s how she made me feel the second my lips touched hers.

“How about a repeat performance of that kiss?”

Her face is soft, her hair lifting with the breeze, as she says, “As if I’d say no.”

I’m euphoric as I press my lips against hers, breathing in her familiar scent, my heart thumping frantically in my ears.My destiny.

Fifteen years ago, I saved her from a bully on the playground. That same day, she saved me and didn’t know it. Our paths crossed again, and in a myriad of ways, we’d save each other again. Our feelings for one another would bloom from obsession to the deepest unconditional love.

My baby girl is my sunshine after the storm. The moon that lights up my darkness. My lighthouse that guides me through turbulent waters, steering me home to her.

My love.

My life.

My eternity.

58

MADISON

As we exit the cemetery, heading toward Jagger’s truck, I bite my lip as my thoughts roll inside my head.

My gaze searches the darkening night sky, finding the single star that shines.Thank you, Dad. For leading me back to him.I’ll never take him for granted.

I haven’t told Jagger, but I know my heart stopped beating. I saw my dad. He reached out his hand, pulling me in for a huge bear hug. He held me for a few beats before stepping back. “It’s not your time, Maddie. You need to go back. Jagger’s waiting for you.”

“You know Jagger?”

He nodded. “You found your dark hero. And he loves you.” Tears shone in his eyes as he pushed my hair back from my face. “I’m so sorry for everything that happened. But throughout the bad, you experienced the best thing I could ever hope for.” His smile was so bright it blinded me. “Unconditional love. Jagger gives you that.”

Tears flowed down my cheeks. “I love you, Dad. But I…” the lump in my throat prevented me from continuing. Swallowing hard, I managed to choke out the words inside my heart. “I needJagger, Dad. Help me find my way back to him.” I wiped away my tears, taking in my dad’s face, missing him so much, but knowing I’m not ready to leave the man I love. We have a whole life to look forward to. “I love him. I-I don’t want to leave him.”

My dad grabbed my hand, raising it to his lips. He kissed it, his eyes soft. “You aren’t leaving him.” He lowered my hand, pressing it to my chest. “Goodbye, Maddie. Take care.”

Then I felt my heartbeat beneath my palm, the sound filling my ears. I gasped and opened my eyes. They locked with the bloodshot, onyx orbs of the exhausted man holding vigil at my bedside.

The love of my life.

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