Page 116 of Tempt

“You didn’t cash the check.”

“I’ve been busy. You see that platter over there? I’ve been up in the attic for days looking for it. It’s a miracle I made it out.”

I glance past him, where most of the attendees are oblivious to what’s happening, but my friends are riveted. “Is Andy here?”

“He’s at his grandparents.”

“You sound okay with that.”

“I am. In fact, I was hoping you’d be here. I want to show you something. Can we go inside?”

Yes.I want that.

Except…

I don’t trust myself not to throw myself at him.

“Let’s talk out here.”

His brows lift. “You might regret that.”

I fold my arms. “Doubtful.”

He reaches for the hem of his shirt, tugging it up over his chest.

Behind me, the other guys holler and Jules laughs.

On his pec is a tattoo the size of my hand.

“Please tell me that’s not real.”

“After all that talk about picking out a spot for that tattoo, you never did it. So I had to. I couldn’t find one with your name, so I got a cat.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “We’re even.”

“No, we’re not.” He drops his shirt and grabs my arms. “When my wife got sick, I told myself if I cared enough, there had to be a way to save her. But I couldn’t. So after, I set about making sure nothing else in my life, my son’s life, could be broken again. Until I met you.”

His eyes fill with emotions that make it hard to breathe.

“You changed everything. You helped me see I was alive but not living. Since you left, I miss your company. You making me laugh. I miss you in my bed. I know what it’s like to miss someone I love. But the thing is, you’rehere. You’re right in front of me, and I won’t miss you when I could be with you.”

My throat swells.

“Kat, I know my life is complicated, but I want to make this work.” His eyes search mine, earnest and convicted. “I don’t have all the answers but I’m good at finding them. Let me have your back. I will be there for you no matter what.”

Happy.

I’m so fucking full of joy, and hope, and love, I feel like I could explode with it.

All I can process is him standing in front of me, saying he loves me. Asking me to be part of his life.

Saying he’ll be there.

I take a deep breath.

“Well…I can see why you didn’t want to do this in public.”

“Too late.”

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