Her words hit deep, filling my chest and wrapping around me. She loved me. She loved me, and she was saying it out loud, around all these people.
She reached for my hands, bolder now. “I love you,” she repeated, her voice clear and even. “I love you so much. And I’ve been a complete coward. I’ve been afraid of so many things, but especially going below the surface. You have absolutely terrified me this whole time, because you,” her breath hitched, “you are definitely below the surface.”
My heart was coming back together with every word she spoke, the pieces locking into place one by one. I was pretty sure I was smiling. “Does this mean—”
She shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. “I need to finish.”
I pulled her closer, still holding her hands but bringing our arms flush against each other.
“You brought me to life. Not even back to it, but to it. You always saw all of me. Who I was, who I could be, and that scared me. When Jason died and I left town, I shoved you out of my head so far that I nearly forgot you.” She stepped even closer, her gaze steady and warm, never leaving mine. “And seeing you that first time a few months ago? It was no surprise I literally fell at your feet. You have been so patient with me. So kind, and understanding, and always giving me what I needed, even when I didn’t know what that was. I didn’t deserve it, and I still don’t deserve you. But,” she said and swallowed, “I’m hoping maybe you could find it in your heart to give me another chance? Because I’m staying.”
“You’re staying?”
She nodded. “Yes. You are everything to me, Aaron. I want to be with you, here.” She took an uneven breath. “Will you please forgive me?”
“Devon.” I wrapped her in my arms, crushing her against me and breathing her in. “I love you, too,” I whispered roughly. She squeezed me back, and I felt her sob.
I pulled back to look at her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and my own eyes stung.
“But do you forgive me?” she asked, her voice small, her smile unsure.
Her smile. The wires were gone. “Yes, baby. Yes, yes, yes.” I punctuated each word by kissing away her tears.
Dimly, I was aware of squeals and clapping around me. It didn’t matter. The entire world could be watching and I wouldn’t have changed anything, because I was finally whole.
“Kiss me?” She smiled through her tears. “Like, really kiss me?”
I took a deep breath and cradled her head, then tilted her chin as I dipped my head to hers. I tasted her chapstick. I’d missed the softness of her lips, the tiny noise she made every time we kissed.
She opened her mouth, inviting me in. Time slowed as my tongue swept against hers, and I tasted the promises she’d made. Here, in her arms, was exactly were I was supposed to be. I deepened the kiss slightly, still letting her guide me, my head full of sunshine, my senses full of Devon, only Devon. The sweet taste of her mouth, the vanilla scent of her, the feel of her arms wrapped around me.
I didn’t care who was watching, didn’t care how long the kiss was lasting, but I was quickly approaching rock-hard status, and if I didn’t stop us now, I was going to scandalize a lot of people.
Devon whimpered as I pulled away, opening her eyes and meeting my gaze unflinchingly. As always, I could read everything in those beautiful blues, and right now, they spoke of forever.
Her arms around my waist, she said, “I know I have a lot to work on. Being more open and not being as afraid, for one. But I’m trying. Just keep being patient.”
I leaned close, my words only for her. “Remember what I said that night at Gigi’s? ‘Whenever, wherever, however.’ I’m all yours, Devon. Always.”
Relief spread across her face. “There’s more,” she whispered, a leftover tear streaming down her face.
“More?”
“I’m selling the house.”
I furrowed my brow. “That…is not what I expected you to say.”
She hurried to say the rest. “And I’m going to substitute teach at the elementary school. I’ll start next semester. I’ve already found buyers for the house.”
“You’re really staying,” I said.
She nodded, laughing. “I said that.”
“Say it again.”
“I’m staying, Aaron. I’m staying and I love you.”
I crushed her to me once more, my knees nearly buckling in relief.
“Does this mean you two are back together again?” Price called. “Because it’d be great if he stopped moping around the place. It’s not a good look.”
Devon laughed against my chest as I shifted to look at him, one arm still holding Devon against my chest. “Fuck off,” I said, grinning like an absolute fool.
Price laughed. Beside him, even Will was smiling, his usual judgy scowl on hold.
Chief, of course, beamed. “I knew it was only a matter of time for the two of you,” he said, tucking his thumbs into his belt and rocking back on his heels. “We’d have her back, and you’d both settle down.”
Devon giggled. “Chief, hold your horses. Give us some time, will you?”
I looked at Devon. The love of my life, without question. “Did you really need all these people to tell me you loved me?”
Her eyes shone. “Absolutely. I needed Jodi for the location and Ceci for moral support. She and Rick used the excuse to get a sitter for the twins and they’re going on a date any minute now. Chief, Price, and Will for the dog shenanigans. Miss Betty because no way she would miss it, and Mrs. Withers because, well, she wouldn’t have missed this, either.” She paused. “Although I don’t know who the rest of the people are.”
I chuckled as I looked around at everyone in the shop, friends, family and smiling strangers, and kept her tucked against me. “Fair enough. But Mrs. Withers?” I looked over to where she and Miss Betty stood, each of them with a plate of cookies in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. “I thought you two were mortal enemies.”
She shrugged. “That’s a story for later. It turns out her heart was in the right place, but her execution was seriously flawed.”
“And you’re really selling the house?”
