Page 45 of Never Too Late

Jake doesn’t say anything for a little while. Instead, I can feel his hand clench and then release my thigh repeatedly. Finally, when we’re about five seconds from pulling up to his parents’ house, he speaks up.

“Look. You’re beautiful and I’m by your side until my dying breath. But”—he winks at me—“you are crazier than shit sometimes, Lilly-girl. Nothing bad is going to happen. If it does, then we’ll work through it together. No more running, got it? I’ll follow you this time. I don’t care where you go.” He’s parked now and turns off the truck. “I know what I want, and it’s you. Now stop this random talk, and let’s go eat. I’m starving.”

“Well, screw you, buddy. I have a hangover. Plus, I’ll be crazy if I want to. You still love me.” I smile at him and hop out of the truck. I realize that absolutely nothing has changed about the house in the five years I’ve been gone. There are newer cars in the drive, but that is it. The giant Victorian house is still a tasteful shade of brown, and the windows still have the same mahogany-colored draperies hanging in them. I feel a sense of calm wash over me, like I’m coming home.

There’s so much love and warmth in that house, I know it. Cliff bought it for Katie on their fifth anniversary, and they spent the next ten years remodeling it themselves. They constantly worked on some project or another in the house when Jake was growing up. Walking up to the door with my hand in Jake’s, I try to prepare myself for anything that is about to happen.

Katie opens the door before we are even up the front steps, then she throws herself at me. “Oh, my sweet girl. We missed you so much. I’m so happy you’re back.” The now-sobbing woman holds on to me with all her might, as though she is afraid if she lets go, I’ll vanish.

“I’m here, Mama K. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.” The nickname I gave Jake’s mom when I was little comes out like our relationship never skipped a beat, and the smile on her face reinforces my hope that everything is going to turn out okay. “Come on, let’s go inside. I have a hangover from hell and your son wouldn’t let me sleep in.” I throw a wry look at Jake from over my shoulder and pull the other woman inside, only to come up short when my phone starts to ring.

“What’s the address?” I ask Brandi, the dispatcher on shift, when she tells me there’s another fire.

“This one’s down in Serenity Harbor, an old, abandoned warehouse at the end of Oak Street. They’re just concerned about the other buildings now; the warehouse is a complete loss,” Brandi says. “They just wanted me to notify you for now. I’m not sure if there’s anything for you to do down there.”

“Thanks, Brandi. Keep me updated if anything else happens?”

“Will do.” We disconnect the call, and I turn to find Jake standing behind me.

“There’s another fire. This one’s down in Serenity Harbor.”

“I figured it was something to do with work. I’m covering for Brian tonight, so if you decide you’re going to the scene, call in for an escort. Please.” He pulls me into his arms, and I lean into his comforting embrace.

“Today’s been crazy. And overwhelming,” I admit, my mouth pressed against his chest.

“Mm-hmm.” He pulls away from me. “We can talk about it later tonight when I get home. Unless you’re sleeping on my side of the bed again.”

His hands are lingering, holding me close and silently showing that he doesn’t want to let me go.

“I’m not going anywhere.” The words get caught in my throat, and I know the importance of this moment. “It’s only ever been you, Jake. And I don’t want anyone else.”

23

MARGOT

“Hasit really been only me, Lilly-girl?” Jake asks when he crawls into bed with me after shift, his skin warmer than the blankets I’ve been using all night while he’s been gone.

“It’s only ever been you.” I smile at him as he presses his lips against mine in a brief kiss before pulling me into his arms. “I tried to get over you, but no one compared.”

“I’m sorry I was with other people after you left,” he says, regret thick in his voice. “I lost you and didn’t think I’d ever get you back. So I let my dick do the thinking, even though all I wanted was you.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Jake. You lived your life. I just had my heart set on you from the time I knew what love was. There was no moving on for me, not from you.”

“I’m an idiot. I should have fought harder for you.” He tries to pull away, but I grab on to his neck and lock my arms around him like I’m a spider monkey.

“You’re not an idiot,” I reprimand him. “You didn’t know if I was coming home. Ileftyou. But I’m here now. Let me ask you something. After the night you pulled me over, did you fuck anyone else?” I ask, even though I know the answer without him having to say it.

“No. I didn’t lay a hand on her or anyone else after you rolled back into town with my name on your lips and cut my heart out with a spork. It felt wrong.” He pulls me closer into his arms, which should make me feel like I’m dying, but it doesn’t.

“There’s your answer. I came home, and you knew. Nothing else matters. None of the pain I went through before I left and none of the hurt I caused you by leaving. Look at where we are now. After waiting for so long, we’re finally here. Together.” I stay quiet after that, loving the way it feels for him to hold me in his arms.

“You’re beautiful,” he says suddenly, and I feel heat flood my core from the warmth in his words.

“You say that now. But you might not want me when I’m old and cranky and yelling at you about feeding squirrels on our lawn.” I laugh, but it’s a very real fear. “I’ll have gray hair and wrinkles, and everything’s gonna sag.”

“I’m never letting you go, Lilly. Never. I’ll be there for every gray hair and all the secrets you tell the wildlife on the back porch when you feed them against my will. I meant what I said. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine. I’ll never let you go.” He shifts so that he’s no longer pressed against me while he holds me.

Instead, he braces himself there, our eyes locked and our bodies touching everywhere it counts.

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