“She does. And I was married to Todd for a long time. I don’t think she’s ever envisioned me with anyone else, let alone you—no offense.”
He sniggers. “None taken.”
“I feel better, though.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, now we don’t have to hide really. We can be Zach and Presley. We don’t have to pretend once we talk to the kids.”
Which is going to have to happen. Especially since their loudmouthed aunt returned. She’ll never be able to keep this to herself. And now that Zach and I have taken the next steps, admitted we love each other, I feel like the time is right.
“Presley,” he says with affection.
“Yeah?”
“I love you. I mean it. No matter what happens when we talk to Cayden and Logan. No matter if Angie or the rest of the world don’t like us together, I’m in. I’m committed to making this work.”
He has no idea what he does to my heart. Each time he speaks, I fall harder. I lean forward and press my hand to his heart. “I love you, Zachary Hennington. From the first kiss we shared, I have been head over heels in love with you.”
Our lips touch, and I hear a bunch of idiots yelling. “Kiss her like you mean it, Zach!”
I go to turn my head, but he grips my face. His lips press hard against mine, and he tilts my head. I feel his tongue glide across my lips, and I sigh into the kiss. He holds me and dominates every move. I’m trapped, lost, completely captivated by him. My heart pounds as he continues to kiss me with so much passion it takes my breath away. No woman should go through life without feeling this.
“You two about done?” Wyatt says and we break apart.
My lips burn, and I cover my mouth. “Sorry,” I say, ducking my face while slapping his chest.
Zach grunts and adjusts himself. “It’s your fault.”
“Don’t blame me, Zachary,” I joke.
“So, Zach,” Angie says from behind. “I feel like we need to talk.”
“Ang,” I warn.
“You know, bury the hatchet since you’re fucking my sister again.”
“Oh, God. Please stop.”
Angie continues to ignore me. “It’s been a lot of years between us.”
I turn and look at her. “Between you and him?”
She shrugs. “I mean, I was there for her while you were off being Joe Baseball, making sure that she didn’t end up in the looney bin since you left her for your glowing career.” The floor drops from beneath me. I look at her, begging with my eyes to stop from saying anything more. “Have you finally seen the error of your ways by leaving our girl?”
“We’ve worked through it all,” he says holding on to me.
“Yes, Angie.” I give her a look. “We’re over it. You know.” I decide to stop this now. “It’s late. I haven’t seen you in so long. Let’s head back to the house and get some girl time.”
“I can take her home,” Wyatt offers.
“Didn’t you have someone with you?” I ask.
Wyatt shrugs. “I like this one better.”
Angie looks up with a laugh. “You really are me. But I’m pretty sure my dick is bigger.”
“Wanna compare, Angel?”
“Angie.”
Wyatt shrugs. “Semantics.”
“All right, you two.” The mother in me comes out. “I’ll ride with Angie since she drove.”
Zach’s tugs me against his chest. “See you tonight?” he whispers in my ear. “I can’t sleep without you.”
I stare into those blue eyes I love so much. “You bet.”
Second chances don’t always happen, but I think Zach and I were destined to find our way back. If he had stayed, we’d never know what life without each other was. I’m grateful that with all the pain I’ve been through, I’ve been able to find my salvation.
“O KAY, SO YOU SNEAK OUT every night?” Angie says snuggled in my bed. She’s decided we need to have a sleepover like we did before we grew up.
“It’s not really sneaking out.”
“Do you go out the front door?”
I huff. “No.”
“Does anyone know?”
“Well, they know, but it’s not common knowledge.”
“Do you climb out the window?” she asks.
“No.” I laugh. “I go out when the boys are asleep and come back before they wake. It’s dating only at night.”
She sits back with her arms crossed. “Are you going tonight?”
I don’t want to lie anymore. “Yes. I don’t know if he’ll be there, but I’m going down to the creek.”
Angie grins. “I appreciate the honesty.”
The next hour we spend talking about everything. She even laughed at the story of the race and has started to smile a little more when I mention his name. I’m hoping she’ll see how much he makes me happy. How things have turned around since he’s been here.
“I don’t like it,” she says. “But I’m happy for you.”
I sit on the bed next to her and grab her hand. “I get that it’s hard for you. It’s really hard for me. I didn’t jump into this haphazardly. He’s helped me come to terms with Todd’s decision in a lot of ways. I don’t understand, and I don’t think I ever will, but I’m not so angry anymore.”
She nods. “I wish I weren’t.”