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A few hours later, I parked near Remi’s apartment. I unlocked her front door, walking softly up the steps so I didn’t wake her. After using her bathroom to clean up, I paused in Remi’s doorway.
She was sprawled in the middle of the bed, the blankets in disarray around her. It perfectly represented her presence in my life. Front and center and not to be missed.
Finally, there was nothing holding me back. I wasn’t feeling residual guilt about the past or what happened to her. I was here for her.
I slid into bed. When the mattress dipped with my weight, Remi rolled over to face me. Her eyes blinked open slowly, and she rested her palm on my cheek. “You’re here.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“How’d it go?”
I’d hoped to talk about this in the morning, but since she was awake, I didn’t mind getting it out of the way. “He told me it wasn’t my fault.”
“Do you believe him?”
Everything hinged on my answer. “Before I arrived, I realized I didn’t need to protect everyone in my life. Instead, I could be a safe place for you to come home to. I could be your support system. I can’t control other people.”
She smiled softly. “I can take care of myself. I’m strong.”
“You are. Even if I wanted to, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to let go of my protective instincts, especially when it comes to you. I’ll probably always remind you to be careful.”
Her body shook with laughter. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t do that.”
“But I let it go. The guilt. The blame. The responsibility.”
The moonlight coming in through the blinds illuminated her smile. “I’m so happy for you—and us.”
I could get lost in the soft smile on her face. I could get lost in her. “I love you, and I want a future with you. You’re already in my heart, but I want you by my side.”
“I want that too.”
I sucked in a breath, suddenly nervous. “This might be too soon, but I don’t like being away from you. Will you move in with me?”
She drew back slightly, chewing her lip. “My apartment is within walking distance to my store.”
I rolled us until I hovered over her. “If that’s what’s holding you back, I’ll drive you to and from work because I want to come home to you every night. I want to wake up to your beautiful face. I feel alive when I’m with you.”
She smiled wide. “I’d love to move in with you.”
I kissed her, then stopped to say, “Thank God. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if you said no.”
“What would you have done?” Her tone was full of curiosity.
“Stay every night until I wore you down. I’d wait forever for you.”
“Good to know,” she said softly.
Then I kissed her, losing myself in her. I wanted to be with her, and nothing would come between us.
Epilogue
REMI
“When you’re ready, open your eyes.” I waited a beat before continuing, “Give yourself a minute before you move around. Take in your surroundings.”
Colton winked at me from his spot at the back of the room. He must have walked in late.
Usually, the door to the studio was closed for privacy, but since this was an open house, Shae left it open so people could drop in whenever they arrived or observe like Colton was.
