Page 108 of Words We Didn't Say

It was as if the comfort of someone being there let him snip through the last frayed knot. His shoulders started to quake, and my insides shattered with each of his quiet sobs. I’d never seen a man cry before. I didn’t know what else to do but hold him.

“I was so worried about you.” I kissed his shoulder even though he probably wouldn’t feel it through the cotton damp from tears. “You never came back.”

A dark chuckle echoed in his chest. “Why would you want me to come back? I’m a failure.No one.Not a partner. Not even a fucking lawyer anymore. Why would you want me?”

I could’ve listed a hundred reasons, but I settled for whispering the one I hoped would mean the most of all.

“I love you.”

Tear-stained cheeks turned. Dark eyes—no glasses—dipped in a tormented blink. “Denny Dee?” A desperate hand reached out, pulling me closer. “Do you really?”

“I do. I really do. I have for the longest time.”

“When?”

“Before the toothbrushes.” I bit my lip. “If I’m honest, I think it was the first night I stayed over. The way you looked at me…”

The first time he’d pushed inside me, his hand had cupped my cheek, and his dark eyes had fluttered closed only for a moment as he’d kissed my forehead and whispered, “Are you really here?” My true favourite fantasy. The one I’d never dared to tell him. Not just because he’d chosen me, but because he treasured me. He treated me like no one else ever had—like I was the most precious gift in the world. He made me feel safe.Whole.

“Things are different now,” he said.

“They’re better now.”

“I lost my job.”

“And that’s going to be a huge adjustment for you, but it doesn’t change the fact I love you. And, spoiler alert, but your job never even cracked the top ten things I like about you.”

His head turned, a small smile tugging at his lips. “What’s number ten on your list?”

“You’ve got a hot li’l booty.”

His smile spread wider. “Nine?”

“This list will be mostly X-rated until we reach the top five. You’re a wonderful man, Zach, and I’m so lucky to be with you. You’re sensitive and kind. You listen to me—really listen—and you share all the same hopes I have for our life. It also doesn’t hurt you’re so handsome and have a nice”—I wiggled my eyebrows—“smile.”

A chuckle rumbled under his ribs. “A nicesmile,huh?”

“Uh-huh.” I tightened my arms around him and kissed his cheek. “No matter what happens with your old work or your new work, we’re in this together. I love you.”

He sucked in a breath.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m getting used to hearing you say those words.” He smiled against my temple. “I like it.”

“Good, because now that I’ve said it, I’m never going to shut up about it.”

“Promise?”

Giggling, I kissed him on the chin. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” His sigh was deep…content. “I liked saying the ‘too’ for the first time.”

My brows drooped. I’d waited a long time to say the words back to him. Stubbornness. If I was truly honest—fear. “Zach, I know I haven’t always been good at showing you how much you mean to me. I understand now that I was scared, but when I think back about how I treated you sometimes, I’m not proud. I did so many stupid things I regret.”

“I deserved it.”

“No, not always. You’ve worked hard to change, but I haven’t always kept up. I’m trying. I really am. And I’m going to try even harder.”

---