Page 37 of Pucks, Lies, and Sticktape

“You can’t leave me,” he whispered against her hair, his breath hot and unsteady. His body trembled ever so slightly as if the thought of losing her was more than he could bear. “Not when we’re finally starting to be a part of each other’s lives.”

She squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the back of his shirt like it was her only tether to this moment, to him.

The air between them felt charged, thick with the unspoken weight of love, fear, and desperation. Matthieu’s arms tightened around her, locking her against the fierce, steady beat of his heart. His breath was warm against her hair, but there was an edge to it—frantic, raw.

“You’re not going,” he whispered, pressing his lips against her temple. His grip on her was unyielding as if he could keep her there by sheer force of will. “Not without me.”

Jeannie pinched her eyes shut, her body trembling as she clung to him. The weight of his words settled over her like a shield, but she knew he couldn’t understand—not fully. He didn’t know what she was up against.

“You don’t know him…” she breathed, her voice a fragile whisper in the space between them. A shudder ran through her as she fought the memories clawing at the edges of her mind. “They push and push until they get their way, and?—”

“I’m pushing back,” he growled, a fierce protectiveness burning in his tone. His hands slid up, framing her face, forcing her to meet his gaze. She gasped at what she saw there—anger, devotion, terror. “I’m not letting anyone bully my friend, my partner…my wife.”

Her lips parted to argue, to remind him that this—whatever this was—wasn’t meant to be real. But before she could, a sound broke from him, something rough, broken, almost a laugh, yet nothing about it was amused. His thumb traced her cheek with aching tenderness, his eyes searching hers with an urgency that stole her breath.

The clock on the mantel ticked softly, a reminder of time slipping through their fingers, but at this moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just them.

“You’re my person,” he murmured, his voice hoarse, unsteady.

Something inside her cracked wide open at the way he said it. Reverence. Vulnerability. Fear. It wasn’t just a declaration; it was a plea.

She would never forget this moment—the way his breath hitched, the raw emotion shimmering in his eyes as he laid his heart bare before her.

“You are the best part of me,” he admitted, his voice shaking. “And it scares the crap out of me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you here.” His throat bobbed as he swallowed thickly. “It’s a piece of paper, and I don’t know why it bothered me, but we’re gonna fix it. We’re going to fix this between us.”

The words hung between them: a promise, a lifeline.

She held her breath, waiting.

“Let’s take the only lead away from your father so he can’t touch you, can’t bother you again…”

Jeannie blinked, her heart slamming against her ribs. “What do you mean?”

Her hands found purchase against him—one gripping his elbow, the other splayed against his hip, desperate for something solid, something real. She wasn’t sure if she was holding onto him or this moment; she was terrified that either one might slip through her fingers.

Matthieu hesitated for only a second before forging ahead, his words tumbling out, laced with nervous determination. “We’ll say we’re renewing our vows… but let’s take this chance. Let’s make it legal so no one can ever threaten our friendship, our relationship together.”

Jeannie’s breath stalled in her throat.

“Are you serious?”

His laughter was thick, choked with something unspoken. “I think I am,” he admitted, a wobbly smile pulling at his lips. “I’mscared to death, but for so many reasons other than the one it used to be—because I don’t want to go back to living alone. I’m not the easiest guy to get along with. I’ll admit I can be a selfish turd and a sloppy housekeeper…”

Despite the storm raging inside her, a watery laugh broke free. “I don’t know why you had coasters in Seattle…”

He chuckled, his own eyes glistening. “I don’t plan on using them here either.”

And then, just as quickly as the lightness appeared, it faded. His grip on her tightened again, his eyes darkening with something deeper, something desperate.

“Will you stay and trust me to handle things…please?”

She couldn’t speak. She could only nod, holding onto the emotions flickering across his face as though they were the only truth in the world.

Matthieu exhaled slowly. “It’s gonna be okay—I promise you.”

“I believe you,” she whispered, and she did.

His jaw tensed, his expression softening into something almost hesitant, like he was testing the words before fully committing to them. “We’re going on a date.” His voice was softer now, almost contemplative like he needed to say it out loud to make it real. “We’re going to go out and have fun—together. And it’s gonna be wonderful to have you close to me.”

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