Page 346 of Now and Forever

CALLUM

For two days, we joined the rest of my friends and explored the little cities along the French and Italian Riviera. I had never felt more fun, carefree and very much besotted by having Stella with me.

It was our last night. Tomorrow, we were heading back to the real world—back to London—so I decided to take her to Positano and enjoy a moment with her. As much as I liked being with my friends, I needed to spend some time with Stella. Yes, I bloody needed it.

After our meal, we strolled towards the shore. It was lined with a tiny strip of black sand and lined with blue and white umbrellas as we watched the sun setting before us.

“Thank you for making this all magical for me. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy since my family left me,” Stella murmured, eyes appreciative to the beauty that surrounded us.

What caught me, though, was her heavenly face. It looked content, in love and happy simply being with me. I watched the sunset happen before her eyes. She was glowing happiness as she gazed ahead, elated.

Spending all this time with her, realizing that she was the one, truly was life changing for me. My priorities were shifting and I would do anything to keep her with me. She hadn’t demanded anything, like I had, but she ought to know…

“I love you.”

She blinked once before she turned to me, smiling. “Are you sure?”

That smile—her—everything about her simply took my breath away. “I have loved you, but my fears have overruled everything. Forgive me for being such an unmitigated coward, but I’m telling you now, my heart lives for you, Stella.” I meant each word. Each were spoken with a promise. “Thank you for loving me, for bringing light into my life, for resurrecting my broken heart and making it feel again.”

She held me tighter, kissing my cheek. “Finally, I thought you’d never get here.”

I hadn’t, either, but I did.

I made it home.

Wrapped in each other’s embrace, I looked forward to spending my life with her.

Our future awaited our return.

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