Page 85 of Room for Us

She gulps. “Yes.”

“But you’re afraid of what that means.”

She nods, words spilling in a rush, “I didn’t really think much about what would happen after. I don’t—I still can’t live in New York, Ethan. I won’t give up my life here. Even for you. So really, nothing’s changed. I’m sorry.” Her eyes shine with tears. “I love you, I’m in love with you, but I don’t see how this could ever work, even long distance. I’m still figuring out who I am. I’m in therapy now, and I’m learning, but that’s a lot, right? How can I expect you to deal with all that? I’m a mess. I might always be a mess. So, it’s okay if you change your mind. Sometimes things just don’t work out. That’s life.”

Of them all, three words shine the brightest: I love you.

She loves me.

I’m close now. If I wanted to, I could reach out and touch her. But I won’t. Not yet. Despite everything in me screaming for contact.

“It will work. Do you want to know why?”

She frowns, and a tear slides down her cheek. “Did you hear anything I said?”

“Every word. Now will you listen to me?”

She’s still frowning, but the panic in her eyes is gone. “Yes, but—”

“No buts. Just listen. I want you exactly as you are, no more or less. I want you messy, and growing, and honest. I’m not in love with some past or future version of you. I’m in love with the woman standing right in front of me. The teary, beautiful, slightly annoyed woman who welcomed me home when we met. You were right, Zoey. I was coming home, because my home is wherever you are.”

“Ethan…” she whispers.

Giving in to temptation, I gently cup her face, holding it like it’s the most precious gift. Because it is.

“I can’t explain it any more than you can, than anyone can. You hear stories about people who meet and just click—just know that they’ve met the person they’ll be with forever—but you never really believe it until it happens to you. I didn’t have to fall in love with you, Zoey. I’ve always loved you. I just hadn’t found you yet. Now that I have, I’m not letting you go.”

A thick tear slides down her nose. I gently wipe it away. She sniffs. “You make such pretty words.”

I smile so huge my face hurts. “As for the future, I don’t care. You want to live in Sun River? We’ll live in Sun River. You don’t want to get married again? We won’t get married. I’ll take my cues from you, because you’re my axis, my north star, and I’ve decided we’re doing this forever. You’re mine, Zoey Kemper, and I’m yours. And this is going to work, because we’re better together. We belong together. And that’s that.”

Her cheeks are warm, her skin silky as my thumbs lightly graze. Her lower lip trembles. Her eyes glisten up at me.

“Agreed?” I ask.

Her lips curve, one eyebrow lifting. “It sounds like I don’t have much of a choice in the matter.”

I grin. “You don’t.”

“Then I guess I’m good with all that.”

“You guess?”

She shrugs, eyes twinkling. “Fine. I agree to put up with you forever.”

“Minx.”

“Tyrant.”

“I love you, Zoey.”

“I love you, too. Are you going to kiss me? My neck is starting to hurt. You’re really tall.”

“I guess.”

Her small fist finds my stomach. Laughing, I gather her into my arms and taste her smile. My smile.

Mine.

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