Page 80 of Bittersweet

“I love you,” he told her. “More than I ever thought I could love another person.”

“I love you too.” She squeezed his hand.

“And it still floors me every day that you do. I never thought I was worthy of love. And after what I did to you, I didn’t think I deserved it. Not from you.” He kissed the back of her hand. “I never thought I’d ever have a love like ours.”

“Love like ours is rare. I mean, what other couple has to deal with a baby born in prison and arson and crazy exes?”

He chuckled. “What, like that’s not normal?”

Harper smiled. “Well, maybe the crazy exes.”

She felt horrible for the pepper spray incident and for suspecting Brett of arson. Deep down, she’d known he wasn’t capable of such a thing. She wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive her for all of that or for leading him on to try to get him to admit he was responsible, but she had apologized. Several times. He’d walked away angry that night, but a few months later, she’d seen him while walking downtown. He had a pretty blonde on his arm, and they’d exchanged introductions and pleasantries. Before walking away, he had told her he harbored no ill will against her and wished her the best. She wished the same for him.

Logan squeezed her hand, bringing her back to the present.

“Our love didn’t come easy. We fought to get here,” Harper said.

“Yes, we did,” Logan replied.

Harper glanced back at Kayla, who had fallen asleep, then at the man she loved. In this moment, she thought there must be one perfect word to describe their life together.

Happy? Blissful? Blessed?

She turned their hands over and kissed the back of his. “We had to get past the bitter to make it to the sweet.”

Logan smiled at her. “And our life together is oh so sweet.”

Sweet it is.