Page 168 of Ransom

Sometimes, it’s no ones fault. Our timing wasn’t right back then. And that hurt both of us.

But now, the only thing keeping us apart is the shit in my head.

And I’m so done with it.

I stare up at him, my heart thundering against my ribs. The truth burns in my throat, demanding to be spoken. All these years of burying it, of pretending it wasn't there, of building walls to keep it contained—and still it lived, breathing quietly in the darkest corners of my heart.

"I love you." The words fall from my lips, simple and devastating. "I never stopped. God knows I tried. I dated other people, I focused on work, I built this whole life without you in it. But the love wouldn't stay buried."

His eyes widen, darkening as he processes my words. His hands slide from the hood to cup my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks with a gentleness that makes my knees weak.

"Say it again." His voice cracks, raw with emotion. He had to know. Didn’t he?

"I love you, Ransom Kyle." My fingers curl into his shirt, anchoring myself to him. "I've loved you since I was seventeen, watching you try to fix Mrs. Henderson's ancient Volkswagen. You were covered in grease and swearing up a storm, and all Icould think was 'this is it, this is the person I want to spend my life with.'"

A sound escapes him—half laugh, half sob. He presses his forehead to mine, his breath uneven. "Blair." Just my name, but he says it like a prayer, like salvation.

"Even when I hated you, I loved you." I close my eyes, letting the truth pour out. "Even when I wanted to never see you again, the love was there. It's always been there."

His hands tremble against my skin. When I open my eyes, there are tears tracking down his cheeks.

"I thought—" He swallows hard. "I convinced myself you'd moved on. That you'd forgotten."

"How could I forget?" I brush away his tears with my thumbs. "You're carved into my bones, Ransom. You always have been."

51

RANSOM

Ican't keep my hands off Blair. Her lips are soft against mine, and I press her closer against the workbench. The familiar scent of motor oil and her vanilla-scented shampoo fills my senses. Twenty-five years of wanting this woman, and now she's finally mine.

The words matter. A fuck of a lot. Oh, I knew she loved me. I could see it in her face. But she guarded herself so well, I was afraid she wouldn’t let herself say it.

A throat clears behind us. Blair jumps, but I keep my arms around her waist. I’m not letting her go again.

Maggie stands in the doorway, her thin frame shaking with laughter. "I was going to see if you wanted coffee, but clearly you're occupied."

Blair's cheeks flush pink. "Mags?—"

"Don't stop on my account." Maggie's eyes shine with tears. "God, I can't tell you how happy this makes me."

My chest tightens at the sight of her gaunt face, the way her clothes hang loose on her frame. It's so fucking sad.

"You two were always meant to be together." Maggie steps closer, her voice soft. "But Ransom, are you ready for everything that comes with loving Blair?"

I meet her gaze. "Why don't you tell me exactly what you mean?"

"She means Max," Blair whispers against my chest.

Maggie nods. "Blair's his guardian when I'm gone. Are you prepared to be a parent? Because that's what this means."

"I love Blair." I tighten my arms around Blair. "And I haven't run from responsibility in a long time. If the worst comes, I'll stand and fight for him. I'll always be there for him. I'll never give up on him." And I mean it. I'll be exactly what that kid needs.

Starting now.

"Too bad his mom can't say the same." The words taste like acid in my mouth, but I force them out anyway.

Maggie's whole body goes rigid. Her face flushes crimson, hands balling into fists at her sides. "How dare you." Her voice shakes with fury. "You have no idea what I've been through."

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