Page 78 of Meant to Be

“Yes. Definitely a pool. Where I can see the bottom. And there are no sharks.”

Joe climbed back into the boat, then pulled me up after him. He grabbed a fresh towel and wrapped it around me, even though he was the wet one.

“I’m sorry—” I said.

“Forwhat?”

“That I can’t swim,” I said.

“Whatever,” Joe said, shaking his head. “You’re exactly what I want.”

I nodded, feeling a little better, remembering what we’d just done.

“Cate?” Joe whispered, cupping my face.

“Yes?” I said.

“I love you,” he whispered into my ear.

I inhaled, too overwhelmed with emotion to exhale, let alone speak, but finally found my breath and voice. “I love you, too,” I whispered back.

He leaned down and gave me a long, slow kiss that felt like a seal on our joint declaration.

And just like that, for the very first time, I began to imagine a future with Joe.

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