Page 119 of Then There Was You

“You told Sophie and Cade,” she says softly, and my eyes fly up to meet hers. I nod. “Why?”

I blow out a breath. I hadn’t expected Sophie to say anything, and while we need to have this conversation, I thought I had a little more time to prepare. “Because I’m done with secrets, Tay—”

“But you could have jeopardized your relationship with Cade,” she says, cutting me off.

I take her hand. “You’re all I care about, Taylor. I nearly lost you because I was so set on no one finding out.” She lowers her eyes. “Look at me, baby.” I wait until she lifts her head. “I was thinking of myself when I should have been thinking about you.” I release her hand and cup her face. “I messed up and I had to try and put it right.”

She leans her head into my hand. “Seb,” she whispers.

“I learned the hard way that secrets are toxic. They almost destroyed everything. You’re the most important person in my life and it’s about time you knew that.”

“More important than your brother?”

“I love Cade, but if it came to it, I’d choose you, baby. Every time. Hearing you say you thought you were my second choice killed me. Nothing could be further from the truth. You’re it for me, Taylor. I love you and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove it to you. These past few weeks have been a living hell. If you hadn’t pulled through…” I trail off, my voice choked with emotion.

“Hey,” she whispers, “I’m okay.” I nod and drag in a breath. She shakes her head. “I can’t believe you did that for me.”

“I’d do anything for you, Taylor. I didn’t know that loving you was the best part of me until I almost lost you. Tell me I haven’t lost you.”

I can hear the uncertainty in my voice and I’m sure she hears it too. I hold my breath as I wait for her to answer. I’ve had five weeks to work through everything, but I know for her the argument feels like it happened yesterday. I’ll wait as long as it takes, though, and if she needs time, I’ll give it to her, but I have to know what she’s thinking.

“Sophie said you spent every night with me.” I nod. “You really mean everything you’ve just said, don’t you?”

“Every word, baby. I’ll keep telling you until you believe me.”

“I do believe you,” she whispers. “I love you so much, Seb. No one’s ever fought for me like you have. I was an idiot to have ever doubted you.”

Relief crashes over me and I climb on the bed next to her, taking her into my arms. “I’m the idiot, Taylor. I should never have given you any reason to doubt me. You’re my whole world. I love you.”

She rests her head on my chest and I can finally breathe again after five weeks. We lie holding each other, and after a few minutes, she tilts her head to look at me.

“Are you keeping the beard?”

I smile and reach my hand up to my chin. “I don’t know. Do you like it?”

“I love it.”

“Then I’ll keep it.” I lean down and brush my lips against hers.

When I pull back, she nestles against my chest. “When do you think I can go home?”

“I don’t know. I’m guessing the doctor will be around soon and we can ask. Hopefully soon. I can’t wait to fall asleep with you in my arms.”

“I can’t wait for that either.” She pauses. “Have Nash and Paisley set another date for their wedding?”

“I don’t think so. I think they wanted to wait until you were better.”

She sighs. “I feel so bad they missed their wedding because of me.”

I press a kiss on her head. “Paisley wouldn’t have wanted to get married without you being there, Tay.”

“I’m glad I haven’t missed it, but I still feel guilty.”

I hold her tightly and stroke my fingers up and down her arm. “Do you want to get married?”

She lifts her head and smiles. “Are you asking me?”

I smile back. “No. Not yet, but would you want to? Have you thought about it?”

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