Page 117 of Every Thought Taken

Just as I swallow the sip of wine, I rise to my feet and set my glass down. Anderson stops talking with Braydon, his eyes on me in my periphery.

One breath at a time. You got this.

I clasp my hands in front of me, twist the ring that has given me strength over the years, and swallow past my nerves. “Hey,” I choke out, and all eyes turn my way. My stomach rolls and I silently admonish myself for eating before this.

“North?” Anderson slips his fingers around my wrist. “What are you…”

Inhaling deeply, I peer down at Anderson and smile. I take another deep breath and let his touch settle some of the anxiety rattling my nerves.

One breath at a time.

“Fifteen,” I say, my voice shaky. “That’s how old I was when I realized I was in love with Anderson.”

He sucks in a sharp breath, his hold on my wrist stronger.

Tears well up in my eyes, but I blink them back. “I’d loved him the ten years before, but that love was different. A stepping-stone to something lasting and beautiful.” Unclasping my hands, I slip mine into his. “Life threw us curveballs and tore us apart for far longer than acceptable. But not a day passed that I didn’t love him.”

“Helena…” My name a breath above a whisper as tears trail his cheeks in parallel lines.

“Anderson, you are my definition of love. Every happy memory in my life involves you.” I dig into the pocket of my jeans, close my eyes and take another deep breath. “I want every memory with you. Roasted marshmallows and movie nights. Wild adventures in the middle of nowhere and campfires. Lazy Sundays on the couch and steamy kisses in the middle of Main Street.”

Hooting echoes through the room and everyone laughs.

“Holidays and all the days in between, I want them all.”

He swallows and subtly nods.

“Will you take the biggest adventure with me?” Uncurling my fingers, I hold up the band in my hand. “Will you—”

Anderson bolts up, frames my face in his hands and crushes my mouth with his. Cheers ring through the air as he wraps his arms around me and lifts me off the ground. My arms circle his neck as I melt into the kiss.

“Well?” I faintly hear Lessa in the background.

Anderson breaks the kiss and rests his forehead on mine. Breathes in the moment. Drops a chaste kiss to my lips. Reinforces his hold on me as my feet dangle between us.

“Yes,” he whispers, loud enough for only me to hear.

My heart shoots through my chest and I stop breathing.

“Breathe, North.”

He brushes my nose with his and I suck in a sharp breath.

“What was that?” Lessa asks, volume cranked all the way up.

Anderson inches back and smiles wide.Love you, he mouths.

Love you, I mouth back.

“You’re killing us,” Logan whines, and everyone laughs.

Turning his attention to the room, Anderson announces, “Yes. I said yes.” And then his lips are on mine, sealing his answer with a profoundhell yes.

EPILOGUE

ANDERSON

Seven Months Later

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