“You telling me you love me is the best birthday present I’ve ever received. I love you, too.”
“I thought about everything when we were apart, all that I’ve been through and all that I’ve lost. And I realized how different you are. I realized that I love you without thinking or trying. It’s just there, a living, breathing part of me. Every detail matters. Every memory is part of why I’ll never let you go again.”
“I never want to lose you.”
“You never lost me. Not really. And the fact that you gave me the space to get myself together means the world to me.”
“I’m glad. I missed you, though.”
“I missed you, too. And I have one more present for you.” She handed me a small wrapped box with a red bow on top. “Open it.”
I tore the paper off and popped the lid open. It was her knitting. A scarf? I raised my eyes to hers. “I love it.”
“Yes. It is a scarf.” Laughing, she took it from my hands and wrapped it around my neck, frowning as she tried to adjust it. “Well, it’s sort of a scarf. It’s not perfect, but it will be warm at least.
“I’ll wear it every time it gets cold. It’s perfect because you made it.”
I looked into her eyes, the world fading away until it was just the two of us. Slowly, I leaned in, my heart pounding in my chest. Her breath mingled with mine.
Our lips met gently at first, a tender brush that sent shivers down my spine. The kiss deepened, and I wrapped her tight in my arms, pulling her closer. I wanted to meld into her, to never let her go. She tangled her fingers in my hair, and every worry, doubt, and fear melted away, leaving only the pure joy of this moment.
When we finally pulled apart, I opened my eyes to find her gazing at me with the same intensity, the same love that surged through me.
“I love you, Piper,” I whispered, the words coming out as more of a reverent prayer than a declaration.
“I love you, too. Always, Ren.”
Chapter28
Piper
Months Later…
It was finally cold enough for a fire. The house was filled with the comforting scent of burning wood, and every corner of the living room felt warm and inviting.
I thought of the last few months, from the ones that took my breath away to the quiet ones. All of it had led me to this moment.
Dana and Richard had moved to her hometown, where he helped her open her own bakery. Good riddance, I mean, yay.
Something Sweet was thriving, and I was over the moon happy with it. I also acquired a new hobby—recipe testing and development.Something Sweet,my new cookbook, was due out next year.
I wasn’t the only one with new hobbies. Ren was now good friends with Hunter, they went fishing or skiing with Jake, and sometimes Spencer or another of the Cassidy brothers would join them. Ren had settled into small-town life and loved it.
But tonight was all about being home with a warm blanket and the cozy fire blazing in the fireplace. And Ren, here to share all of it with me—this house, the cats, Cody, and now Rocket, the new puppy we had adopted together.
I pulled the blanket tighter around my shoulders, a smile playing on my lips as I watched the flames dance. Ren was in the kitchen, feeding the pets and grabbing wine and the charcuterie board I’d made earlier this evening.
He walked in with our goodies, his eyes meeting mine as he set them on the edge of the fireplace and sat next to me.
“Pour the wine?” He asked.
I turned to grab the bottle and glasses.
As I turned back around with the wine, I froze. Ren was down on one knee, holding a small, elegant ring box. My heart raced, and I felt a surge of emotion that made my breath catch. The fire cast a warm glow on his face, illuminating his sparkling eyes that were filled with love and anticipation.
He was down on a knee, but I was about to get up and jump for joy. Instead, I quickly put the glasses on the fireplace and burst out with an enthusiastic, “Yes.” Followed by an “Oh crap.” When I realized he hadn’t even asked me yet. I slammed my eyes shut as embarrassment coursed through my body.
“God, I love you so much. Open your eyes, sweetheart.”