Page 117 of Versions Of Us

I laugh softly as he links our fingers, swinging our joined hands as though we’re two lovestruck teenagers without a care in the world. “You know what, Kris?”

“What?”

“I think we’re gonna be okay.”

I smile up at him and he beams back, throwing his arm around my shoulder. I lean into him as we walk the next block, thanking the universe for bringing this amazing man back to me.

A few minutes later, I swing open the apartment door, announcing our arrival to Mackenzie. “Hey, we’re home.”

My greeting is met with an eyeroll as she repositions herself on the couch, a tub of popcorn resting in her lap. “Thank God. I’m starving!”

“You’re literally eating popcorn,” Henley teases. “Good to see you haven’t given up the dramatics.”

He dumps the pizza boxes down on the coffee table. Flipping the lid, he takes a slice and slumps down beside her on the couch. She turns in time to see him bite off half the slice, cringing as pizza grease drips down his chin.

“Ew, dude. You eat like an ogre,” she chides.

I laugh as Henley pulls a face, baring his teeth in a toothy grin despite the fact that his mouth is full of pizza.

“Hmm, nice,” Mackenzie says sarcastically.

He gives her a gentle dig in the ribs with his elbow. “At least I don’t make coffee fit for an ogre.”

She throws a handful of popcorn at him, to which he laughs. I can’t help but smile watching the way they interact. Knowing now how Mackenzie has come to be in our lives has given me a new insight into their friendship. Watching them bicker, almost like brother and sister, sends warmth through me, and my pride and respect for Henley has deepened knowing that he put his life on the line for my sister.

I take a slice of pizza from the box and nestle into the single armchair beside the couch, pulling the throw rug over my lap. “What are we watching, Mackenzie?”

“Outer Banks,” she replies, taking a piece of pizza for herself. “Best show ever.”

“Cool. You should come to the tavern with us next time.”

“And give up my date with John B and Jay Jay?” she scoffs, holding one arm out toward the TV. “No thanks.”

I’m not sure I’ll ever understand this cynical young woman I can now call my sister, but I sure am glad she’s here. And I have my amazing boyfriend to thank for that.

My gaze meet Henley’s and I smile watching the corners of his lips turn upward in a grin, his eyes glimmering in the blue light reflecting from the TV.

And I start to think that maybe he’s right. Maybe we are gonna be okay.

Chapter 46

KRISTEN

The first thing I see when my eyes flutter open is the silvery line that makes its way across Henley’s shoulder blade. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at it and not feel a punch to the gut. Whether this constant reminder of where he’s been and what has happened to him in this half a year away from me will ever fade.

I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his torso, my hands moving over the hard muscle of his abdomen as I make small kisses along the scar.

He stirs, rolling over to face me, a smile forming on his lips. He cups the back of my head, his fingers threading through my hair as he plants a kiss on my mouth.

“I can’t believe you’re here in my bed,” I whisper.

“You better get used to it,” he grins, then he narrows his eyes in seriousness. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

He tucks a wild strand of hair behind my ear, then pulls me in closer, a soft groan escaping him as his hands explore their way up my back.

I’d long ago lost hope that Henley and I would ever share moments like this one again and now that he’s here in my apartment, I never want to let him leave.

“I love you,” I tell him as I move over him, my legs straddling his hips.

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