Page 32 of Joel
“Of course not.”
“Owing you is no better than owing Todd.”
“You don’t owe me anything, Kylie.”
“Apparently I owe you about eleven grand.”
“No, you don’t. It was a gift.”
“What was?”
“The freedom you never should have been without in the first place.” He reaches a gentle hand to my cheek, and suddenly everything feels right in the world. I’m pinned by those ocean blue eyes, unable to run if I wanted to. I’m caving like the pathetic sap I’ve become. Dammit, Idolove this man.
“I want toprotectyou, not control you. If you want to leave, I’m not going to make you stay.”
“And if I want to stay?” I ask, afraid I’ve already ruined things beyond simple repair.
“Then you’d make me the happiest man in North Haven.”
There are several objections from the J-Squadandtheir wives, and we both laugh.
“Guess there’s a club or something,” I tease.
“And I plan to be a lifelong member. Will you stay, Kylie?”
“Wedoneed to break in that hot tub.”
The chatter erupts around us again. It sounds like shock and excitement that Joel’s finally using the hot tub he bought three years ago.
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes, Joel. I’m staying. I’m sorry I panicked.”
“Next time just talk to me before you run, okay?” He lowers his lips to the shell of my ear. “I bet the makeup sex after a good old-fashioned fight would be fucking out of this world.”
“Want me to pick a fight so we can find out?” I tease.
“Tempting,” he says, “But I have a better idea.”
“You do?”
“I do.” I think I know exactly what that mischievous twinkle in his eyes is all about. Maybe that beautiful ivory gown won’t go to waste after all.
He draws me in for a kiss that I immediately lose myself in. It’s a promise that this love between us is strong enough to weather any storm that might come our way. A promise that we are truly meant to be. It’s a promise that our life together begins today.
“I love you, Petty Officer Pierson.”
“Is that an order?” he asks.
“You bet your ass it is.”
EPILOGUE
LATER THAT DAY…
JOEL
I stand beneath an arch decorated with blue and green spray-painted fish netting. It’s covered in appropriately themed sea ornaments: orange life rafts, starfish, and anchors. A large wooden helm hangs at the center of the arch overhead. It’s the entrance to the local museum’s display for The Esmerelda.
