Page 105 of Hello Heartbreaker

When our kiss ended, I brushed the tip of my nose over hers. “Enjoy your bath, Mags.”

I turned to leave the restroom, but she caught my hand. “Stay and talk to me?”

I smiled, kissing her again. “I’d love nothing more.”

51

MAGNOLIA

I wokeup in the morning, feeling Rhett’s strong arms around my waist. His nose was against my back and his knees curled in around me like he didn’t want to miss a part of me, even in his sleep.

The warmth that flooded my chest was something I never wanted to live without, and I realized... I loved him.

I loved him with all that I had.

But instead of fear, there was something else there.

Excitement.

Contentedness.

Wonder, at this feeling of knowing all the parts of someone, good and bad, of being incredibly hurt but also wonderfully loved by the same person, knowing they had that power to cherish or destroy and giving it to them anyway.

I rolled over in his arms, wanting to see him.

He smiled slightly, his full lips curving up, but his eyes were still closed as he said, “Good morning, beautiful.”

I smiled at him, that feeling of love welling over me and making me want to cry.

When I didn’t reply right away, he opened his eyes, taking me in. “What’s wrong?”

My voice broke. “I love you.”

His brow creased. “And you’re crying?”

“It’s not wrong. I was just lying here, realizing how good it felt to wake up next to you. And it hit me. I love you. Not the boy you were, not the man I hoped you could be, just you.” Tears slid down my cheeks. “I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you.”

“Baby girl.” He wiped my tears away and brushed my hair back. “I didn’t think you’d be crying when you told me you loved me.”

I let out a laugh, which just had me crying a little more.

He smiled with me, eyes crinkling at the corners. “I know it was hard for you to see the new me, but I’m so glad you did.”

And I did, see him. This man with beautiful hazel eyes that always had a smile behind them, even when his lips were even. This man with a heart that loved everyone and was brave enough to show everyone, unapologetically, his raw, unpolished self. This man who was a great friend to anyone he met, an incredible brother to his siblings, an uncle who always gave his nieces and nephews a chance to have fun and be themselves too. A man who saw past my anger to the woman I was and the woman I could be.

“You’re amazing,” I breathed.

He smiled, then nuzzled closer, bringing his lips to mine.

I ran my fingertips over the back of his head, feeling the hair that was still slightly uneven, and a smile touched my lips.

“What?” he asked.

I opened my eyes, a guilty smile on my face. “I think it’s time I fixed your hair.”

He laughed, the sound so full and contagious I laughed along with him, my belly aching and my lungs fighting for air.

Across the house, Cam called, “What’s so funny?”

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