Page 70 of Until I Found You
Epilogue
Graham – Three Months Later
“You nervous, man?”
I glance over at Brannon and his shit eating grin spreads wide across his face. The fucker knows I’m nervous, which is why he’s even bothering asking right now.
“Shut up,” I growl, earning me a laugh.
“It’s about time you wised up already. Five years, dude—took you long enough. That girl’s a ten, man. I’m glad you came to your senses.”
“I could say the same to you, asshole. Why don’t you shut your mouth?”
He stops, looking at me confused, and I laugh back at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Lissa,” I respond, drawing it out. He has the gall to stare at me, continuing to look confused.
“We all know what happened in Chicago. The look on your face, the one saying you don’t know what I’m talking about, isn’t going to get you anywhere.”
He doesn’t respond right away, instead takes a throwback of what’s left in his can of beer. Come to think of it, I’m certain I just saw him up at the bar not even five minutes before this, so he has to be chugging the entire thing.
Slamming the empty can down on the table, he looks back at me. I know my response grinded his nerves, if the annoyed look on his face is any indication. I wasn’t trying to be an asshole about it, just proving the point that we don’t always know what’s right in front of our face.
“Whatever you think you know, I ain’t chasin’ that girl around. Not anymore. That ship sailed.”
“Uh huh.” I laugh. “Do me a favor, when we look back on this conversation a year from now, we can both shake hands in agreement knowing we told the other so. Fair?”
“Whatever, man. I need another beer. You want one? You know, to work up the courage and all that.”
“Fuck off,” I retort, as he raises his hand in salute walking away.
My leg starts to shake. The nervous energy coursing through me heightened.
Three months ago, everything changed. Call me stupid, or perhaps if you ask Brannon maybe I just wised up. Either way, I know what it was like to lose Halle once when I mistakenly walked away. I told myself it was the right decision. I was clouded by the guilt of what happened to Gage, and I let it push her away.
I won’t make that mistake again. I made her a promise to spend every day working to earn her trust and showing her how much I love her. I fully intend to keep my promise.
Looking at the back door, I wait for her to come in. She texted me ten minutes ago telling me she and Kinsley had closed the salon and were on their way. Mason, Brea, Callum, and Ellie are all here already. Everyone knows the plan.
Everyone, except for Halle that is.
The ring in my pocket is starting to burn a hole through the denim. I’m so nervous and anxious to see her, to see her face, and get this over with already.
I just want to know she’s mine forever.
She left earlier this morning, she had an appointment to get to before she had to work. I feel like it’s been too long since I’ve seen her and I’m ready to just have her in my arms and to kiss her.
Fuck, Brannon is right, I’m glad I came to my senses.
It feels like ten minutes goes by, but for all I know it’s probably been more like two, when Halle bounds through the door. Her long blonde hair is curled over her shoulder and the denim jeans are hugging every curve of her body like they were made for her.
Damn, I swear this woman could bring me to my knees.
When her eyes find mine across the bar, I can’t help but grin when I see them light up. Her smile is so damn bright, it’s a wonder what I did to have her.
“Hey, baby.” I smile, reaching out for her hand and pulling her into my arms.
“Well, hello there, handsome.”
