“Whitney …” Her expression became much more serious, a look that didn’t cross her face very often. “You don’t have to keep paying if you’re not living here. My home will be yours, no matter where it is or whoever else I have living here.” Her gaze didn’t falter at all; it deepened instead. “You lunatic, why would you even consider doing that? And you’d better not tell me it’s because you’re worried I can’t afford it on my own. I am poor as hell—we both are—but we always seem to find a way to make it work. I will on my own, too, even if that means finding a smaller place.”

“No, that’s not it.” I continued to shake my head. “I’m just not ready to let this go.”

“Honey—”

“Emily, I can’t. Not yet at least.” I knew another encouraging talk was about to roll out from her mouth, and I didn’t want to hear it because I wasn’t going to change my mind. “Caleb came into my world so unexpectedly, and as amazing as our relationship is, it’s still something I have to get used to.” I adjusted the pillow, fixing the placement of our arms. “But there’s so much more on the horizon. I have to make some serious decisions about my job and where my career is and where it’s going to take me. I just can’t handle everything at once.” My chest was tightening again. “Things with Caleb moving a hundred miles per hour is one thing, but everything is going that fast, and I’m overwhelmed.” I swallowed, pushing through the rock that was lodged in my throat. “This is the part that I want to take slow.”

“You know you could live in Siberia, and aside from being in different time zones and freezing all the time, nothing would change us, right?”

I nodded.

“You’re my family, Whit. It doesn’t matter where you are or who you’re shacking up with.”

Another tear fell. “I know.”

“Well then, I accept your plan and your hefty donations each month.” She used her sleeve to wipe the newest drips. “And I have all intentions of taking over your closet and dresser, and I think we should put that in the lease.”

I laughed, needing that so badly, and I sat up and hugged her. “I love you,” I whispered against her shoulder. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m never letting you go.”

“We can blame it on the asshole at BU who thought it was a brilliant idea to house a loudmouth from Boston with an angel from Vermont. A real bastard he was.” She squeezed tighter. “You’re stuck with me for life, woman.”

Within a few more breaths, my chest began to relax, the tears stopping.