Evan and I stuck around, since both of our girls were closing. It seemed to take forever, but eventually we were parting ways, and I was able to do something I’d been wanting to do all evening—take Kiera home, to my home. It gave me a profound sense of peace whenever Kiera was inside my walls, and a small smile was stuck on my face when I pulled onto my street.

When Kiera and I stepped into the entryway, her eyes floated around the space, taking in everything. She always did that, like she was bracing herself for the ghosts that lived here. I understood. I battled those ghosts daily. Everything had started here. Our love affair, betraying Denny, mutually hurting someone we both cared about. Sometimes the past was so thick in my house, it was hard to breathe. It was thickest in Kiera and Denny’s old room—I never went in there. I couldn’t. But I’d never rent it out again either, wouldn’t cleanse it by inviting someone else inside. Even though it was painful for both of us, it was Kiera’s—and only Kiera’s—and it would be until the day I died.

Kiera sat on my bed while I propped my guitar case in the corner of my room. She seemed a little…melancholy as she sat there, like the ghosts were getting to her. Another reason why she was resistant to move back here, I was sure—the walls were painted in pain. “You all right?” I asked, flicking a glance over at the bedroom she’d once shared with my best friend. Well…my ex-best friend, I supposed, although he’d never truly be an ex-friend to me. Even if I’d stabbed him in the back…I still loved him. He was family.

She threw on a smile that was bright and beautiful, one clearly meant to show me that she was okay, that she was happy. Leaning back on her elbows, emphasizing her chest, she told me, “Of course, I’m fine.”

I smiled at the vision of her on my bed and did my best to let the past slide off me. Sitting beside her, I placed my hand on her thigh. “I’m glad you’re here,” I whispered. I’m glad you’re mine, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.

Sitting up, she tossed her arms around my neck. “I had no choice,” she joked. “You wouldn’t let me drive your car, remember?” I laughed, then leaned in to find her lips. Whatever the reason she was here with me, I was grateful for it.

I fell asleep with Kiera safely wrapped in my arms, and my last thought before darkness consumed me was this is the way things are supposed to be. This is my forever.