Page 230 of Waiting Game

“I already told you that you are, but I’ll tell you a thousand times if that’s what it takes for you to believe me.” He leans back so he can tilt my chin up. “I love you, Mia. For you. Because of who you are. Because of what you are. I love your heart. I loveyour mind. I love your ass—” He grins as I slap his arm. “—and I love your strength. No matter what, I know we can get through anything because of that strength. You’re a fighter, Mia. Never forget that.”

“I’m a survivor.”

“Aren’t we all?”

“I love that you think purple and green are a great color combination. I love that when you burst into a room, you bring the energy of a thousand lightbulbs popping on at the same time. I love that you make me laugh. But more than that, I love your kindness. I love that you’re so open. I love your bizarre taste in books.

“I love that when I’m with you, the buzzing in my ears fades to nothing because you take all my focus. I love me when I’m with you. I’m stronger. I’m less afraid?—”

His mouth presses against mine. “I love me when I’m with you too. You raise me up, baby. Just like how they say in mybizarrebooks.”

Despite the fact that I’m on the brink of yet more tears, laughter explodes from me. “You and your romance novels.”

“I’ll make a believer out of you. One day.”

I cup his chin. “I think you did that when I skated onto the ice and you patted me on the shoulder like I was a dog.”

His nose crinkles before his expression brightens. “Hey, you know what this means, don’t you?”

“Once your calf is 100%, you can stop faking sucking on the ice and we can take a shot at that gold-medal-award-winning routine you want to reenact?”

His eyes gleam. “Exactly.”

I lean up on tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. “Never change, Cole.”

“I won’t, baby. You’re stuck with me.”

The words settle deep in my soul.

Unlocking something in me I didn’t realize was tightly fastened.

My arms slip around his waist and I huddle into him.

I could have lost this man tonight. Instead, he’s here.We’rehere. We have Gracie’s blessing,ish, and my debts are potentially covered. Chuck’s is gone, but it’s a place, not a person. Places can be fixed. Things can be bought.

Death is the only permanent part of life, and Cole and I are beautifully alive.

Liam: This message is not Gracie-approved.

Matt: Oooh, I’m all ears.

Gray: Isn’t that why Cole nicknamed this chat ‘Plausible Deniability’ lol

Cole: Ah, fuck.

Liam: The billet brothers hereby declare war on Cole.

Gray: We do?

Matt: Why?

Liam: He’s dating Gracie’s archenemy.

Cole: Fuck off! I’m not dating her archenemy. I’m in love!

Cole: TBH, I’m surprised I got away with it as long as I did so it’s your fault that you didn’t notice my heart had been stolen by a sexy imp with a heart of gold.

Liam: You’re in love with her archenemy, then.

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