Page 103 of Known By You
“In some ways, me neither,” I said, breathing deeply once she released me. “In other ways, this feels like an inevitability. It feels meant to be.”
Saying it sent me right back to the moment Kenny had explained how he felt being here was meant to be, and Ilaughed, a fresh wave of tears hitting my eyes at the way this feeling, this knowledge, had come to me, too.
Jo grinned and shook her head, her eyes glittering with tears as well. “I am so happy and I know it’s a huge transition, but I can seeyouare happy, too. This is going to be amazing for you.”
We hugged again, and she released me fully before she stepped inside my same little apartment I’d left what felt like a lifetime ago but was in fact a matter of days. It’d been six days since I’d left Silverton. I’d planned to turn around less than forty-eight hours after arriving back in Budapest, but once Kenny got there, I slowed down my timeline. We got a hotel, moved me out as I’d planned, and then spent a few days touring the place I’d called home.
I was grateful for the opportunity to spend a little longer saying goodbye to the place where I ended my career with the CIA and Kappa. I’d expected more sadness, but what I felt, more than anything, was clarity.
Did it hurt that Kenny had been willing to give up something for me? No. In fact, it reassured me in a way I’m sure I never would’ve felt the lack of if he hadn’t, but I was profoundly grateful he’d done it.
And as I waited for my boyfriend to come pick me up for dinner—a double date with my sister and her fiancé—I reveled in the joy and excitement I felt for the future. No dread, no sense that I could predict everything coming, and yet no fear. Was I anxious about how I’d settle in and if I was really cut out for work at Saint Security? Yes.
But was I sure that if I needed to make another change and find a totally new path for my career, I could? Absolutely yes. Because I had a support system here—family, friends, and someone who loved me in a way I could feelandsee.
Kenny and Adam arrived and Adam hugged me, then gathered Jo to him and they moved downstairs while I grabbed my jacket. The early March air wasn’t as frigid as it had been when I’d arrived in January, but much like Eastern Europe, Utah didn’t plan to warm up any time soon.
“Tomorrow?” Kenny asked, his whole face lit up with expectation.
I chuckled softly and leaned up on my toes to press a kiss to his lips. “No.”
He narrowed his eyes. “The next day?”
I grinned. “Nope.”
His hand cupped the back of mine and he kissed me hot and hard, then released me. “Fine.”
He led me down the stairs, fingers intertwined, and I had to laugh, though I tried to keep it quiet. He’d started asking me to move in with him a few hours after he’d arrived in Budapest, and I had told him I loved the idea, but I felt it was important for me to move back and adjust to life in Silverton before I also adjusted to living with him.
So far, I’d deeply regretted that choice. It felt like such a hassle to go our separate ways at the end of the day. I could only imagine how frustrating it’d be when we were leaving the same workplace.
At the same time, I saw the wisdom of my decision. I was thirty-five and knew what I wanted—him. But I was also in the midst of a huge transition, and it benefited us both to take it bit by bit. As much as he teased me about it, he made it clear he understood and respected my choice.
He also promised me he’d ask every day, and I told him he could absolutely do that, and that as many times as I said no, I didn’t want him to stop asking.
So far, it’d only been a small handful of saying no, but Ihad a feeling it wouldn’t be too long before I simply had to say yes.
He was my future, and I knew that. A small part of me knew it the minute he showed me those mountains, and we sat quietly, and my soul took a deep breath.
I loosed a sigh and he turned, so much love in his eyes I wanted to just shout “Yes!” at him and drag him back inside.
“What’s going on in that head?” He drew me closer, completely unafraid of anyone on the street who might be watching his affection for me.
“Just thinking how much I like you.”
He made a pathetic face. “Just like?”
I laughed. “And love. I do love you pretty madly, too.”
He dipped his head and moved so his lips were almost touching mine. “I love you, too.” He gave me a lightning-fast kiss, then asked, “Now?”
I cackled. “Good try, but no.”
He shrugged. “No for now, but not forever.”
A stupid grin covered my face. “Not forever.”
EPILOGUE
