Page 132 of Uniquely in Love

It felt right. Like he was home.

Because I was home with him.

“Ellie,” he whispered, running his fingers over my cheeks. That was when I realized I was crying. They weren’t sad tears at all. Owen rubbed his hands down my back. “Baby.”

I shook my head. “I love you.”

He pressed his lips to mine, holding me tightly to his body until neither of us could hold back, moving in tandem. It wasn’t fast or hard, but slow and tender.

We made love to each other as he held me tight, and I knew it was what we both needed right now. The reminder that we were here.

Together.

And I’d never let him go again.

FORTY-ONE

Ellie

CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!” My sister’s arms flung around me, pulling me into a hug.

“Hi, Abs,” I said, hugging her back just as tight. “I missed you.”

She squeezed tighter. “Me too. I know why you left, but damn, it’s weird having you so far away.”

I rolled my eyes. “Says the professional jet setter who stayed an extra two weeks in France because she was having such a good time.”

My older sister’s cheeks pinked. She’d inherited our dad’s coloring—thanks to the Italian American on his side—and tanned beautifully, plus having dark, thick hair. But just like me, all of her emotions showed on her face. “About that…”

“What?” I raised an eyebrow. “You’re not going to tell me the two of you eloped, right?”

“No. God. Of course not. It was just a fling.” She waved me off. “He was good in bed, but I don’t foresee it going any further.”

Oh. “I’m sorry, sis.” I wanted her to find her person. Especially now that everything with Owen and I was so good. I wanted her to have someoneto love.

“But I wanted to tell you I?—”

“Girls!” My mom’s voice interrupted us, and she practically squealed.

I turned to her, and I couldn’t hold back the tears even if I wanted to. “Mom.” I’d missed her so much.

“Oh, my love.” She pulled me into her arms. “I’m so glad you’re home.” She rubbed my back in that comforting way she had ever since we were kids. “When did you get in? I thought you wouldn’t be here till later?”

“Well, we left Seattle earlier than we originally planned. Owen couldn’t wait to be home.” I looked over to the living room, where he was sitting with my dad, and I had to bite my lip to stop from smiling. “Honestly, neither could I. I can’t believe how long it’s been.” We’d brought our bags in earlier, and he’d carried them up to my childhood bedroom. Never in all my teenage fantasies had I ever imagined us sharing a bed in my parents’ house, but apparently it was happening tonight.

“I’m so happy you two worked things out, sweetie.” My mom cupped my cheeks, squishing them together slightly like I was still her toddler and not a grown woman. “It was hard seeing you two mopey all those years.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I frowned. “I wasn’tmopey.” Maybe I hadn’t really been living as fully as I was now, but I’d still made it out the other side.

“Don’t give her a hard time, Mom,” Abigail said. “Ellie figured things out in the end, didn’t she?”

My mom nodded thoughtfully. “She did. Now it’s your turn.” She poked my older sister in the arm. “Someone’s going to give me grandkids eventually, right?”

Abigail winced, but quickly recovered. “Just don’t hold your breath that I’m going to blink and find the love of my life just standing in front of me.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m perfectly capable of doing life without a husband.” Abs bit her lip, like she wanted to say something else, but decided against it.

I wondered what she was going to tell me before mom interrupted us. Hopefully, I’d find out later.

---