A hitch in his chest, a bob of his Adam’s apple, his hand sliding into the curve of my waist and eyes searching mine. “Tell me you love me, Lila.”

“I’ve loved you since the start,” I said without hesitation. “I loved you before I should have and before I even knew.” I shook my head at him in wonder. “You don’t even know what a gift you are. You have no idea how you’ve changed me.”

“I didn’t want to change you.”

“Neither of us had a choice in the matter. You saved me simply by being. You showed me another life, another way, when I thought I was on a one-way street. It’s because of you that I had the courage to quit my job. I could walk away because I was walking to you.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“What’s settled?”

That smile, clever and bright. “You’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” I promised with a smile of my own.

“Can I get that in writing?” he asked archly, angling for my lips.

“Where do I sign?”

“Right here.”

Our lips brushed, melded, the seam hard within a breath and a fluttering heartbeat. We wound together, my arms around his neck, his around my waist, our bodies twisting and tightening to bring us flush. Chest to chest, hip to hip, fingers splayed as if to hold as much of the other as we could. I breathed him in, reveled in the safety found in his arms, the weightlessness of relief. The scent of him, earthy and so wonderfully masculine. The silken strands of his hair in my fingers, the stony landscape of his body surrounding me. And I surrendered myself to the sensation, to him, knowing he would honor the sacrifice with all the reverence and adoration I would give to him.

A burst of clapping snapped us apart, and we turned to find Ivy in the doorway, smiling and crying and clapping.

“I swear I left,” she said through her tears. “But I had to sneak back in to make sure you were okay, and you are. Right?” She hiccuped a sob, swiping at her cheeks.

Kash and I shared a smile before I made my way to console my sister. “Yes, we’re okay. Are you okay?”

“I think it’s my hormones. Yesterday I cried because Olive pooped for the first time in twenty-four hours. I’m a mess.” She drew a breath, straightened up, and dried her eyes. “I’m sorry. I really did only mean to peek but then … well, I saw you kissing, and before I realized what was happening, I was clapping.”

“It’s okay,” I said around a laugh.

She raised her hands, waving them palms out. “I’m going. I’m sorry. I love you two and I’m so happy for you and goodbye!” she rambled, still waving as she backed out the door, closing it behind her.