Page 95 of Almost Always

“That’s why you still do it, even though you know all the risks.” He nodded and she smiled. “And that’s why I’ll never ask you to quit. It might scare me, but I’m so proud of you. Your son is too. And you know that if it ever gets so bad, we’ll tell you, right?”

“Promise?”

“Always,” she said, tracing the word tattooed onto his chest.

He pulled her back against him and leaning sideways, she set her head on his shoulder. His hand brushed over her arm and shoulder, sliding up to her neck and back down. The soothing movement made her body settle, made her mind feel like it was finally in control.

“Raff.”

“Daze,” he replied.

“I need to tell you something.”

She felt him stiffen before he mumbled anokay. Tipping her head back, she looked up at him and noticed the slight wrinkle between his eyebrows. She smiled and smoothed it away before cupping his jaw in one hand.

“I love you.”

His expression went from concern to shock to downright dreamy. Then his mouth was pressed to hers, hand cupping the back of her head as he pulled her even closer. She laughed against his lips, grabbing the sides of his face to kiss him back. Their mouths parted for a brief moment and she sucked in a sharp breath at the heat in his eyes before their lips connected again. They moved around in the tub, water sloshing over the sides before she was straddling him. Migraine long forgotten, nausea from hours ago a joke, all that mattered was the way this man held her as they kissed like they’d never be able to kiss again.

“Again,” he mumbled against her mouth, peppering kisses along her jaw and down to her neck.

“I love you. I have been in love with you since I was thirteen and I don’t think I ever stopped.”

His mouth did stop, right at the spot where her neck met her shoulder, and he breathed deeply. “I never stopped, either. You were my first love and I hope my last,” he said softly, lifting his head to meet her eyes. “I love you too, Hero.”

She grinned, tears blurring her vision and she wrapped herself around him, both of them laughing and repeating the words like they’d forget it.

A LETTER

12 · 10 · 2008

Hero,

I miss the sound of your voice. I know we did the best we could with the phone calls, but maybe we were only fooling ourselves by thinking that we could do this long term. I’m also waiting on that invite to come see you. I know I can get there on my own, but I’d rather you be prepared than surprise you. I just…wish you were here. Or I was there. Somewhere together.

Working with Dad has been really good. I’ve learned a lot and I can’t wait to get my hands dirty. Speaking of which, I did tell them about my firefighting gig once I got my certification. To nobody’s surprise Nonna gave me a lecture and the silent treatment for 24 hours. She was so upset, I thought she might never forgive me. Dad wasn’tpleased either, but I think explaining myself helped. Maybe. I dunno. Poppy just issued every warning in the book.

Also, you wouldn’t believe who I ran into the other day. I was at a coffee shop before a client meeting and Vivian walked in. She had this huge rock on her finger and is also pregnant with twins. Apparently she married someone in Texas, but I didn’t ask if she was happy. You know what she did, though? She apologized.

She was all teary and spent what felt like forever apologizing for all the things she did to you. I was shocked, but still angry, so I didn’t say anything. I congratulated her and walked out of there. I know, I should have been nicer, but what exactly was I going to say or do? I hate what she put you through and how she made you feel. I couldn’t just forgive her for any of that.

But seeing her again made me miss you even more. I hope you’re happy, Daze. That’s all I want for you.

All my love,

Rafferty

CHAPTER 28

Rafferty

Can you get Nonna’s ring out of safe deposit?

Dad

It’s that time already?

Rafferty

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