Page 159 of Mended Hearts

“You like it?”

“Love it,” she corrected, her eyes already drifting back to the dance floor. She lit up when she spotted Tillie giving her a big thumbs up from between two very amused uncles.

“Dance with me, beautiful?”

Her throat worked as she nodded, slipping her hand into mine.

We stepped onto the floor just as the music slowed. My hands settled on her lower back as she wrapped her arms around my neck. Her eyes were heavier now—like something unsaid had taken root there. We spun slowly among the other couples, her body warm and close, my heart hammering with something more than nerves.

She must’ve felt it too, because she pulled back, narrowed her eyes, and asked, “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said—but it came out strangled.

“Veryconvincing.”

I chuckled and dropped a kiss to her crown. “Just thinking about how much I love you, Trouble.”

“Ahh. So it’s a fun heart race?”

“You could say that.” I pulled her closer. “Listen, Leigh. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“You’re pregnant?”

“What?”

“Oh. Never mind.”

“Jesus, Trouble.”

“That’sone.”

I kissed the tip of her nose. “Will you just let me say this?”

“Yes,fine. My bad. I just like to see you smile.”

“I’ll smile a lot more if you let me get this off my chest.”

“Wellthat’sterrifying.Carry on.”

“I’m in love with you, Leighton Rhodes.”

She blinked, smirking like she was waiting for a punchline. “Yes. Well established. Feeling’s mutual.”

“I already told you you’re it for me. That I knew before I even realized I’d knocked you up.”

Her eyes widened as she glanced around at the nearby couples. I grinned.

“We’re about to tell the world anyway, Trouble. I’m not worried. Are you?”

“I guess not,” she said, though a pretty flush colored her cheeks.

I pinched her chin lightly, coaxing her gaze back to mine. “Like I said. You’re it. I’m all in. Three months ago, I blurted out a question that deserved a million lights under the stars.”

“Ollie…” she breathed—but I kissed her before she could say another word.

“Shhh, baby. Let me finish.”

“You better make it quick, big guy, because my heart’s about to claw its way out of my chest.”

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