Page 87 of Every Promise Broken

Finding my gaze, Whit smiles before saying, “They’re doing it.”

“Goddamnit,” I hiss, shaking my head as he drops onto the swing beside me.

“Can we talk?” he asks as he rests his back against the arm of the swing and spreads his legs over my lap.

Arching a brow, I murmur, “Breaking up with me already?”

Shoving my arm, Whit rolls his eyes. “No, but I do think we should discuss a few things.”

“Okay.” My hands find his foot, massaging the sole gently. “I’m listening.”

Whit takes a minute, dragging in a deep breath like he’s gathering his thoughts. “I think we should take things slow.”

My brows pinch. “I don’t think what we did last night, or in the barn, or the office, is considered slow, dear.”

Breathing out a laugh, he says, “That’s not what I mean.” His hands are in his lap, gaze turned downward, as he picks at the skin around his thumbnail. “I don’t think we should pick up where we left off. I think it would be smart if we treated this like a new relationship because we aren’t the same people who were married back then.”

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, then switch to his other foot.

“Dating,” he offers, a small smile peeking through as his eyes lift, meeting mine. “We should go on dates, spend quality time together. But most of all…” His gaze drops to his lap again likethis next part is the one he’s most anxious about. My heart thumps harder as I wait. “I don’t think I should move back in right away.”

My pulse jumps. “Whit.”

“I know,” he says. “I know you’re not going to like this part, but I think it’s important. Building a solid foundation for the new us before we get all domesticated. I’m not saying I’ll never sleep over here, but I think easing into this is the smartest move.”

He’s right, I don’t like it. At all. But Icansee where he’s coming from. “Okay, that’s fair. Anything else?”

Whit winces. “One thing.”

“Let’s hear it,” I deadpan.

“I think couple’s therapy would be good for us.” He must assume I’m going to protest because he immediately holds up his hands. “Now, hear me out. It doesn’t have to be something we do frequently, but I do think checking in with each other in that setting every couple of months would be good. And I’m not even saying we have to stick with it forever, but at least while we find our bearings as a couple again.”

Squeezing his foot, I gaze at him, love flowing through me as I take in my man. “I will do anything you ask me to, baby,” I tell him. “I’m yours, and I’m never going to do anything to lose you again. If that’s what you want, then I’ll be there.”

His eyes well with moisture. “Really?”

“Really.” I nod. “I’m in this for life with you, Whit. I’ll go as fast or as slow as you need, but I’ll always be here.”

“Thank you.” His voice cracks as a tear falls down his cheek.

Leaning over, I wipe the tear away with my thumb before pressing a kiss to his lips. “I love you, Whit.”

“I love you, Connie.”

We spend the rest of the morning curled up together on this porch swing, and I don’t remember the last time I felt thiscontent. This is everything I’ve wished for, for years, and now that it’s here, it almost doesn’t feel real. Everything we’ve been through has led us to this, and I couldn’t be happier about what’s to come.

CONRAD’S EPILOGUE

One Year Later

“She’s so little,” Whit murmurs as he looks down at the swaddled baby fast asleep in his arms.

“I know, she’s like the size of a dang football,” Shooter says, gazing down at his brand-new baby girl with hearts in his eyes. “I can’t believe how little they come. I’m scared I’m going to break her.”

“You’re not going to break her,” Sterling chimes in as he walks back into the living room.

“How has she been for you guys?” Boone asks.

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