Page 262 of Never Fall for an Angel

“Everything okay?” she asks quietly, turning to face me.

My chest tightens at the look in her eyes. That mother bear instinct is firing on all cylinders.

“As long as there’s chocolate cake.”

Mila laughs. “Then, I guess you’re lucky I made two . . . do you think they’re okay?” she asks, her brows knitting together in worry.

“They’ll be fine,” I murmur, pulling her towards our seats. “We pay them to handle it. They’ll handle it.”

She still looks worried, so I stop her and pull her to me, pressing my lips to her forehead.

“I’ll text Baxter and make sure when we’re done eating.”

She breathes out a sigh of relief and finally takes her seat.

Mila had spoken about opening her own bakery for years. When we decided to change the lodge into a more family-friendly resort, we made that dream come true. Today’s their first day since it opened a month ago without her, and I’m glad she’s finally getting a break.

With the addition of the bakery, the spa Bella added, and a few new upgrades, everything is finally coming together.

Looking around the table at our family and friends, it seems surreal to think about where we were two years ago. My family, with Levi and his wife. Bella and her new fiancé, Sam. Paulina and Rudy, though they’d never admit there’s something between them. On the other side is Mila’s family, with Monica and Bob. Savannah and Logan fawning over her pregnant stomach. Charlie and Bailey with their two kids. Bailey’s best friend, Andi, her husband, Jake, and their son. Mason, Hannah, and Luke.

Shipwreck Island feels like it’s across the world and not an hour away, nestled into a forgotten corner of the world. We’ve hired a young couple to look after the place now that it’s served its purpose.

Looking at Mila, I know those four walls brought her back to me. I’ll forever be grateful for the magic that place holds, and maybe it can do the same for someone else.

“What are you looking at?” she asks, smiling coyly while passing me the mashed potatoes.

My hand slips up her bare leg under the table, and she almost drops the bowl in her hand.

“I’ll show you later.”

She blushes but doesn’t swat my hand away.

“I think you need to focus on your mashed potatoes, Mr. Cross.”

“I’d much rather focus on yours.”

“Nana, what is the mile-high club?” Lily asks out of nowhere, and both Mila and I freeze, our heads snapping to look at Monica. Monica handles it in stride without missing a beat.

“It’s for people who use the bathroom on a plane.”

“Why is there a club?”

“Because I suppose they feel important about it.” She winks at me and continues onto a new topic while Mila hides her laugh behind her drink.

Over her head, Levi catches my eye, nodding once, his wife completely oblivious beside him. I nod back, something unspoken passing between us.

We’ve come a long fucking way from losing our mother. From our father to Sebastian, all the way down to this very lodge where our family is having its first-ever combined cookout in the front yard of Mila and I’s house.

Life may have taken a turn neither of us ever expected, but when Mila lays her hand down over mine, I know I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Her eyes meet mine, pretty gray glinting like silver in the sunlight overhead.

Fuck . . . those eyes.Even after three years married and eight years in each other’s lives, she’s still got me wrapped around her fucking finger.

“Keep looking at me like that, Mrs. Cross,” I warn quietly in her ear, and a shiver rolls through her.

“I love you,” she whispers, her fingers tightening around mine.

“I love you, too,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Always.”

I’d once wondered what God did to men who stole angels from the heavens.

Now I know we’ll never find out.

Mila made me the man I was meant to be. I may not deserve this life, but who cares? I’m never giving it up. I’ll spend eternity chasing after her, and somehow, I know it’ll never be enough.

She was made for me, and in the end, the devil better be prepared to pry her from my hands because there’s no way in hell, I’m ever giving her up.