Page 129 of Since We're Here
“Maddie, I don’t want this to be goodbye.” My voice catches in my throat. I must be clear.
“You don’t?” Her eyes fly open.
“I love you. I’m in love with you. I think I was from that first kiss, and definitely by the second one.”
She breathes in deeply, the pain falling off her face.
“You love me?”
“Yes, Madison Elizabeth Hart. And it’s okay that you don’t love me back. I’m not telling you for any kind of reciprocation?—”
Maddie leaps at me with her full body and throws her arms around my neck, her legs wrapped tightly around my waist, stealing the air from my lungs. She buries her face in my neck and her hot breath warms my entire body.
“Jaysus, Maddie,” I say once I can breathe. But I’m laughing through the words. She feels so right in my arms.
Maddie leans back to look at me, her brown eyes sparking with flames from the setting sun.
“I love you too, Patrick McNulty. I figured it out for sure in London, but I think it happened before I fell off that damn bike. The week I spent at your cottage was the best of my life. It was everything. I fell even more in love with you and your family and your sheep, even though I’ll forever be a tiny bit terrified of them.”
My heart explodes with love. Our lips are mere centimeters apart. I cup my hands on her arse to keep her firmly against me.
“When we were together, you made me feel like the only woman in the world. Like I was the most important thing, no matter how giggly and cheerful and annoying I was. You made me feel like I was doing a great job at O’Brien’s.”
“Why else do you love me?” I know I’m being greedy, but I’m intoxicated by her words and don’t want them to stop.
“Well, you look pretty hot in a soccer uniform. That’s basically it. Thick thighs and killer abs. That’s all I need to fall in love.”
“You’re quite shallow.” But I smile and squeeze her arse until she squeals. “But I’m happy to wear my soccer kit for you whenever you want.”
She grins and it reaches her eyes, but I need to know what she thinkswhenevermeans. I can’t bear the thought of her going back to New Jersey.
“Patrick, you’re my adventure.”
I don’t even flinch at the word.
“And you’re mine,” I say back.
Her intense gaze flits from my eyes to my lips.
She moves one of her hands onto the back of my head, burying it in my hair. “You deserve so much love. Your nieces, your parents, your sister... I love you, and I love Dingle, and your life there.”
Is it possible? Can this work? Fragile hope springs from my center.
“I want you to come back to Dingle with me, Maddie. Will you? I will beg, if needed.”
What will I do if she says no? I’d have to follow her wherever she goes. I’ll follow her to the ends of the earth, if she lets me, family and business in Dingle or not.
“Yes. I’ll come back to Dingle with you. I can’t imagine going anywhere else.”
“What about your family?” The words come out as a whisper. That fragile hope strengthens.
“Reese is moving to Scotland, remember? Stella lives in London. I’ll go back to see my mom. And honestly? You’re thinking too far ahead. Just kiss me.”
And I do, our lips joining gently at first, then pressing harder together. I can’t believe I get this. Forever? It better be forever.
“You can move in with me at the cottage,” I say against her mouth, pulling away slightly. “There’s plenty of room...”
“I think we should take it slow.” She looks at me thoughtfully. “Think your flat is available?”
