Page 131 of Just Say Yes

Her expression changed, curiosity giving way to caution. “Okay ...”

I took a deep breath, the weight of my next words pressing down like a vise. “That night at the ramen place, Wyatt offered me a coaching position at his university.”

Her eyes widened, the flicker of hope breaking through her guarded expression like sunlight through clouds. “Wow, that’s...that’s great, Logan. Are you considering it?”

“I turned him down.” The muscles in my jaw worked. “Twice.”

The flicker disappeared, replaced by confusion and something that looked a lot like hurt. Her lips parted, but no words came. The disappointment in her eyes hit me like a punch to the gut.

“You turned it down?” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “So that’s it, then? You’re going to rejoin the team?”

I stepped closer, the raw edge in her voice cutting deeper than I’d expected.

Her brows knit together, her lips trembling as she searched my face. “I can’t—I have had enough time to think, Logan. I’ll fight for us. If it means doing long distance while you’re playing with the Sevens, we can figure that out. I choose you, but I’m also choosing myself. That means I am not afraid of what might come next. I’mexcitedfor it. I only hope it’s still with you.”

I surprised her with a laugh, soft and full of relief, pulling her hands to my chest. “Julep.”

Her gaze shot up to mine, confusion flickering across her features.

“I’m not leaving. I was never leaving. I’ve been everywhere, done everything, but there’s nothing I want more than to be right here with you.” I tightened my grip on her hands, my voice steady and sure. “You’re not fighting for us alone.”

She gazed up at me, her lips trembling as a shaky laugh floated out of her. “Then what the hell are we doing standing in front of this dilapidated building?”

“I figured it was better than decapitating a mafia boss.” A nervous chuckle escaped me.

Her eyes went wide. “What?”

“It’s nothing. Something my grandfather said, I––” I laughed and gestured toward the warehouse. “I’m doing this.”

My voice was quieter, but full of conviction. “I’m building a rugby training facility here. Something lasting. A place for the game, for the town ... for us.”

She blinked, her walls cracking as my words sank in. “Logan ...”

I reached for her hands, holding them tightly in mine. The feel of her skin—cool, soft, real—grounded me. My voice softened, every word carrying the weight of what I’d been too afraid to say until now.

“I love you, Julep. I love you in a way I didn’t ever think was possible. You make me want to be better, to do better, because for the first time, I don’t want to win alone. I want to build something real—with you.”

Her breath hitched, her lips trembling as tears filled her eyes. “I ... I don’t know what to say.”

I cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing away a tear as it fell. “Just say yes. Say yes to us. Say yes to a future where we figure out the messy stuff together. Because I’m not giving up on you, and I’m not giving up on us.”

A tear streaked down her cheek, a shaky laugh and smile breaking through the tears. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice cracking but sure. “Yes, Logan.”

Relief flooded through me, my body lighter than it had been in years. I bent down and kissed her, my hands framing her face as our lips met.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, like we were testing the boundaries of something fragile. But then she leaned into me, her fingers curling into my jacket, and the world tilted. Everything—her warmth, her taste, the feel of her against me—crashed into me all at once, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I stopped thinking.

When we finally broke apart, her forehead rested against mine, her breath mingling with mine in the cool air. “That was unexpected,” she murmured, her voice shaky but full of warmth.

I grinned, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Good surprise?”

“The best,” she said softly, her smile widening. “What now?”

I stepped back, my hand still wrapped around hers as I led her toward my truck. “There’s one more thing.”

I opened the tailgate, revealing the red bicycle I’d spent the past month finding and restoring. The frame gleamed in the fading sunlight, the vivid color bold and unmissable.

Her hands flew to her mouth, a soft sob breaking free. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she reached out, her fingers brushing the handlebars. “Logan, I ...”

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