Page 99 of Wish You Would

My chest tightens, and my teeth bite into my bottom lip. “You’ll get on a plane for me?”

“I’d rather get on top of you, but yes, I’ll do anything for you.” He smirks, looking pretty pleased with himself for being cute.

“I know.” Tears well in my eyes. “You’ve been nothing but the best.”

“I was an idiot, and I hurt you. It wasn’t my intention, but I still made you doubt how I feel for you, Briar. This is my way of showing you how much I love you. I want to fixthings between us and make them right. I wanted to do something to show you how much you mean to me. I will get on a plane for you, baby. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do. I need you to know how much I fucking love you.”

The ache in his voice makes my heart bleed in my chest. Tears blur my vision. “I love you too, Holden. So damn much. You are already my whole world. It’s you, me and Slugger. The only two people I’ll ever need,” I say, my hand drifting over his jaw. “I can’t believe you’re taking me home.”

“I’d do anything for you, Briar. My life now revolves around you.”

“Holden—” This man. He always says the most perfect things.

He hooks a finger under my chin, tipping my face to his. “I can’t sleep anywhere but with you. Never again, yeah?”

“It kills me to sleep anywhere but with you,” I murmur.

Holden levels me with a look full of promises and resolution. “I won’t ever allow it to happen again. I’m yours. Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

His eyes close, and he rests his forehead against mine. “Move in with me, Bee.”

“I already live with you, remember?” I sass, because I know what he likes.

“You know what I mean. Call your landlord. Cancel your lease. I want you and the baby with me… in my house.”

“I haven’t signed the agreement yet.”

“Thank fuck.” He smiles, wiping the tears from my eyes with his thumbs. I fight back a smile and wrap my arms around his nape. Our mouths touch, and I hold him as tightly as I can.

We kiss and kiss, relief and joy buzzing through us. Being without Holden felt as agonizing as losing a limb.

We are meant to be together.

Holden and I loving each other for as long as we live.

“I love you,” I tell him.

“I love you the most.”

I breathe him in.

I am home.

TWENTY-NINE

SHE CALMS MY SOUL AND SETS IT ON FIRE AT THE SAME TIME

Holden

Briar is keeping me company as I paint the nursery, but looking at her in her faded jeans and sports bra is really tempting me to take a break. She looks cute as hell. Her tiny frame and a belly that looks like she swallowed a watermelon. I’m not sure how she can get any bigger.

It’s spring in Reed Point and Slugger will be making his appearance very soon, which is why I’m feeling the pressure to get this room finished.

“What are you looking at?” I catch Briar watching me as she folds a stack of tiny newborn sleepers.

She raises her eyebrows. “Nothing.”

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