Page 65 of Sustain

I hug my middle at his admission, rocking back slightly. "So where does that leave us now?" I whisper finally. "Now that the truth's burned down everything between us?"

He closes the distance tentatively, his hand coming up to graze my cheek. "That's what I'm praying with everything in me isn't the case." His eyes trail over my features with a reverence that gives me those oh-so-tempting unfamiliar flutters. "Tell me the damage isn't irreparable, Mackenzie. I swear I'll spend forever trying to make this up to you."

Ian tilts my chin up gently, remorse and longing in his green eyes. "I know I don't deserve this after the trust I shattered. But you make me want to be better, Mackenzie. With you, I see a future I stopped imagining for myself a long time ago. I mean it down to my soul. What we started meant everything to me. It still does."

He wraps his hand behind my neck, "I understand if that's too hard to believe after...well, everything." His eyes squeeze shut, pained. "But what we have between us - it's the truest thing I've ever felt. I should've had faith you'd understand all of me, including my past. Including my girls."

His thumb traces my bottom lip tentatively and I sway closer, my walls crumbling. I’m losing the war with what I thought were my impenetrable defenses.

"Give this a chance?" he whispers roughly. "Please? Give me a chance to rebuild what I recklessly fucked up? I swear here and now, and as many times as I have to, I'll never stop making amends, or letting you into every hidden corner of my life that you want in on."

My reservations want to linger and hold me back, but in his touch, his voice, and his pleading look, I recognize the only man who made me feel truly seen. I can’t help but press a kiss to his palm and his breath shudders out in fragile hope.

"I believe you," I whisper, walls collapsing as I grip his shirt, tugging on him firmly. Our lips meet hungrily at last, that electric familiarity between us flickering to life again.

We pull apart, and my hands slide up his chest. I fist them there, anchors against the dizzying freefall now happening. "You damn well better not hide anything from me ever again," I warn breathlessly. Heart hammering, I drag him back to me. Sparks instantly detonate as our lips meet once again.

This could be the completely wrong decision to make, but damn, if it all goes to shit, it will go down in brilliant flames.

forty-eight

. . .

Miracle

Ian

The knot I've carried around for endless days finally loosens in my chest as Mackenzie and I stroll, fingers interlaced, along the boardwalk of the beach after making amends. When I first arrived, as tense as an overly-tuned guitar string for our discussion, all of my pleas and apologies hit me at once, and everything spilled out in a rush.

I should feel empty after baring my soul so much, finally releasing everything I’ve been holding back. Instead, I feel full for the first time.

Complete.

By some miracle, cracks of light penetrated both our armor. Now unfettered joy fills me with warmth, and it’s almost as dizzying as New Year’s champagne bubbles, leaving me grateful but determined to keep us moving forward.

I sweep my thumb over her knuckles. "So, you met my little troublemakers yesterday during that ambush of yours."

Mackenzie's laugh lifts on the breeze. "They're really sweet, Ian." Her expression gentles. "June's shy excitement touring me through their artwork was precious. And Hayley showing mehow she plays with Stormy…" Amusement glints in her eyes. "You've really got some great kids there."

Pride swells in my chest. "They're my earth and sun. And they already adore you." I hesitate briefly as an idea pops into my head. "In the spirit of new beginnings, would you consider an outing with the three of us? No pressure, but just...so we can merge worlds a bit? Get to know each other?"

Her features relax into a sincere smile that hits me straight in my heart. "I'd really like that." Her fingers tighten around mine as our footsteps align stride for stride, even with her slight limp. I have no problem adjusting to match her cadence.

In all things.

"Bye Marisha!"Hayley and June call, barreling out the neighbor’s front door once we arrive to pick them up. “Where are we going, Daddy?”

I scoop them into a bear hug amidst a stream of questions. "Ah ah, your adventure's a surprise."

Then June spots Mackenzie in the car. "You're coming too?" she squeals, wriggling free to dash ahead.

"I convinced your new friend to show us one of her favorite places today," I wink, securing car seat buckles, and enjoying how my daughters are already embracing Mackenzie's presence.

Hayley tugs my arm eagerly. "Is it the zoo? Or rainbow ice cream land?"

I laugh. "I’m not telling. But maybe Miss Mackenzie knows..."

“The movies?” Hayley asks, joining June in grilling an amused Mackenzie from the back seat.

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