She keeps her hand there as she lifts her gaze to mine. “Is it okay that I’m here?”

Every second I’ve been away from her has killed me. I’ve kept myself from calling her at least thirty times. Deleted dozens of half-composed texts. And now she’s here, and nothing else matters. “Yes.” I sound breathless.

“I wanted to know your take on the KonMari method for girlfriends.”

Confused, I frown. “What’s that?”

She swallows. “Remember, I decided I didn’t care if Liam was good enough for my sister as long as he makes her happy?”

I nod carefully. “Right. I remember now.”

“I am not good enough for you, Carter.”

“Tea—”

She presses her fingers to my lips. “I will never be that perfect girl you were looking for. But I’m hoping that, just maybe, your life is better with me in it.”

I wrap my hand around her wrist and pull her fingers from my mouth. “I don’t want perfect. I want you.”

“I want you, too,” she whispers. “So badly.”

Hell yes. “Is it okay that I’m going to get drywall dust all over that sexy dress?”

“Yes,” she says, stepping closer. “I’m here to be ravished, if you couldn’t tell. That is, if you can manage to ravish me.”

“Is that a challenge, Teagan?”

She shrugs, biting back a smile. “Maybe.”

“I can’t back down from a good challenge.” I pull her into my arms and lower my mouth to hers, but she stops me with another finger to my lips.

“You should know something.”

I growl against her finger. “Can it wait until after I kiss you?”

“No.” She trembles in my arms. “I love you. I think maybe I even loved you before you pretended to be my boyfriend. I think maybe I’ve loved you all along, and maybe that’s why I wouldn’t give you a chance. I was too scared.”

My heart races. Best. Night. Ever. “I love you too.” Smiling, I catch her finger between my teeth before releasing it. “I was scared of that too—after losing Max, I was scared of loving anyone. But at some point, loving you became a good kind of scary.”

She nods. “Exactly.”

“I’ve missed you, pinkie toe.”

She laughs against my lips, then melts into me. “Shut up and kiss me, kidney stone.”

Teagan

Six months later . . .

“They couldn’t have asked for better weather. Today is going to be perfect,” I tell Carter as I straighten his tie.

The last six months have been incredible. Date nights with Carter, evenings helping Isaiah with his homework, Sundays at Brayden’s having brunch with the family. Today will be the cherry on top.

It’s a beautiful spring day, and we’re all gathered at the Jackson family cabin for Molly and Brayden’s wedding. The bride and groom insisted on a small event—or as small as anything can be when it involves the whole Jackson clan. We’ll all gather in front of the lake at sunset to listen to them say their vows and then have a barbecue on the back patio and dance until the moon is high in the sky.