Page 129 of I Knead You Tonight

“Fine then, whatever. It’s however you want to spin it. The end is still the same, Drew.”

“It is?”

I nod. “I choose this.”

I drop my mouth to hers, capturing her sigh between my lips.

I pull away.

“I chooseyou.”

Kiss.

“I choose Riker.”

Another kiss.

“I choose a future.”

Kiss.

“I chooseus.”

This time, I don’t stop kissing her.

It’s soft and chaste and full of promises I intend to keep.

I pull away eventually. “I want this, Drew. Okay? I’m not just saying that to pacify you. I want us. I know it’s not going to be easy. I’m going to have to work relentlessly at it. I’m going to have to push my fears aside often, wade through everything with cautious feet, but you’re worth it. Riker is worth it.We’reworth it.”

“Winston…” Her voice is breathless, and she squeezes her eyes shut for a moment. “I…I’m scared. What happens if you stall out again? What happens if you stop choosing this? If you stop choosing me?”

“I’ll never stop choosing you, but just in case I do, you’ll be there to annoy me back to life.”

One corner of her mouth tilts up. “Youhaveto get your shoulder checked out. Youhaveto take care of yourself. It’s nonnegotiable.”

“It’s already done.”

“What?”

“That’s where I was this morning—the doctor. I made the appointment last night. After I explained the gravity of my situation, how my girl was probably going to leave me if I didn’t get my shit together, he took pity and fit me in immediately.”

“What did he say?”

“That I’m an idiot.”

She laughs. “We already knew that. What else did he say?”

“I screwed myself. I’ll likely need another surgery to repair everything.”

Her eyes drop shut. “I’m sorry, Winston.”

“It’s my own fault.”

“I know, but it still sucks.”

“It does.” I place another quick kiss to her lips because I just can’t help myself. “Look, Drew, I don’t want you to think this is some speech to get you to forgive me for last night, and Ireallydon’t want you to think this is something I’m decidingbecause oflast night. I wanted to tell you forty-eight hours ago that I love you, but I wantedyouto be ready to hear it. I want this, all of this, with you.”

“I want it too. It doesn’t mean we don’t have shit to work on, though. I’m still upset with you. I still want to strangle you half the time.”

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