Page 113 of Falling For You

I looked down at the muffin in my hands, feeling the warmth of his words wrap around me like a blanket. It was overwhelmingto hear him say these things.

“I’m happy too,” I said softly, resting my head on his shoulder. “Happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid lingering between us. I could hear the soft crackle of the fire, the gentle ticking of the clock on the wall, and the steady rhythm of Owen’s breathing. It was peacefulandperfect, and I didn’t want it to end.

“I have to confess something.” He turned to me and held my hands.

“Oh, no.” I shook my head. “I don’t know how many of your confessions I can handle.”

“I told them I was in love with you. That this was serious.” His gaze locked on mine. “I want you to know it too. This is something special.”

I nodded, smiling. “I feel it too.”

“They could see it in me, Vi. Usually, I walked around…”

“Like a salty curmudgeon?” I teased.

He winked at me, which made my heart flutter. “Exactly.”

I grinned, snuggling closer to him. “Well, they’re not wrong. Youdokind of look like a lovesick puppy.”

“Oh, really?” he teased, turning his head to look down at me. “And what about you, farm girl? You’re not exactly immune to the puppy love, either.”

I laughed, swatting his chest playfully. “Okay, fine. I’ll admit it. You’ve turned me into a lovesick puppy, too.”

Owen grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “See? I knew you’d come around.”

Being with him like this wasso easy that it felt like we’d been doing it forever. And yet, there was still that spark, that chemistry between us that made my heart race whenever he looked at me or touched me.

“Have you ever though about marriage?” he asked.

The question took me by surprise.

“Sure. I mean, I used to dream about the dress and the party when I was a little girl.” I smiled at him. “And when I grew up, I thought even more about the dress and party.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “What about the guy?”

I shrugged and laughed. “I knew I’d eventually get around to catching one.”

“I’m not a virus,” he said, laughing.

I kissed his cheek and took another bite of the muffin. “In all honesty, I wasn’t someone who ever daydreamed about stuff like that. It was like I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

Owen nodded. “I get it. I totally get it. If you keep everyone away, you don’t have to worry about the what-ifs.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I looked up at him, my heart pounding in my chest.

He really did get it.

Owen smiled, leaning down to press a soft, lingering kiss on my cheek. “I don’t want to be anywhere else but here. With you.”

I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of his lips against my skin, the way his arms held me close. This. This was what I’dalways been searching for, this feeling of being completely and utterly at home.

As I rested my head on his shoulder, I realized I no longer had to search. Because I’d found it.

I’d foundhim.

“Thanks for fighting for this, for us,” I whispered.

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