Jake’s chuckle was soft. “Let’s focus on the lucky part. Because I keep asking myself that same exact question. I really didn’t think I’d find someone this perfect for me, not after the road bumps I had in getting to you. From a failed engagement to cheaters to a couple emotional abusers, I’ve dealt with it all, and I was getting to my breaking point.

“Then you come along, buying wine for your book club, and my entire life changes. My perspective shifts, my heart fills. I feel like happiness is attainable again.

I know it sounds poetic and dramatic, but it’s all true.”

Did it sound poetic? Yes. Did it sound dramatic? Maybe.

Did I love every single fucking word he was saying? Absolutely.

“I think we were both in the same spot, relationship-wise. I didn’t think it was worth putting myself through all that again. I was about to just go on without any strings attached, messing around and seeing what happens. But you came along, and any desire to mess around completely vanished.”

Jake batted his long lashes at me. “So you don’t want to mess around with me?”

It was my turn to laugh. “Not what I meant.”

“I know,” Jake said, leaning in and giving me a kiss that landed on the edge of my lips.

“You’re special,” I said as I turned to fully face him, resting our foreheads together. I could see the specks of diamond dust that made his eyes glow as bright as the sun. The gentle touch of his breath gliding over my lips and down my chin sent a tingle down my spine. My hand closed tighter around his. “I’m so—I…” The words started to race out of my mouth, becoming tangled in a tongue-tied mess. “I just—” had to get it out. Had to say it. Jake needed to hear it, and I needed to say it.

“I love you, Noah.”

He beat me to it, nearly knocking me over in surprise. I blinked a couple of times, just to make sure he didn’t fade away into a dreamy mist.

“I love everything about you,” he continued, smiling. “I love your heart, your brain. I love how courageous you are and how loyal you are and how funny you are. I love every little thing about you. I’m in love with you, Noah, and I never want to let you go. Ever.”

“I love you, too, Jake.” I was surprised I was able to get the words out past the swelling knot of emotion lodged in my throat. For the first time since this day had started, I felt like myself again. Happy and carefree and light as a damn feather. I drank in this feeling, knowing it would be fleeting once our serene little bubble was popped and the real world came back into focus.