Page 127 of Finding Forever

Beth’s laugh. Her stubbornness. The way she worried about everyone. The way she could walk into a crowded room and somehow become the first person he noticed.

Mostly, he’d missed knowing he was allowed to love her. “I love you, too,” he murmured.

Beth opened her eyes and smiled through her tears. “I was hoping you still did.”

Dave stared at her. “It’s been a month, Beth. Not twenty years.”

She laughed, and he drew her closer.

“I missed you,” he admitted.

Her smile softened. “I missed you, too.”

“A lot?”

“A ridiculous amount.”

“Good.”

Beth pulled back slightly. “Good?”

Dave ran his fingertip along her jaw. “I don’t want to be the only one who’s been miserable.”

She gave him a look that made him smile. There she was. The woman he’d fallen in love with.

Beth slipped her arms around his neck.

Dave finally did what he’d wanted to do from the moment her truck appeared in his driveway. He kissed her.

There was no uncertainty this time. No wondering whether they were moving too fast or whether one of them would regret it tomorrow.

Beth kissed him back, holding him as though she had no intention of letting go.

Dave wrapped his arms around her, feeling the warmth of her body against his and the softness of her hair beneath his hand.

When the kiss ended, he rested his forehead against hers. “I really did miss you.”

Beth’s fingers moved gently against the back of his neck. “I know.”

Dave smiled. “How do you know?”

“Because I know you.”

The simple answer made his throat tighten. Maybe because that was what he’d wanted for longer than he’d realized. Not someone who saw only the parts of him he chose to show the world, but someone who knew when he was worried and when he was pretending not to be. Someone who could tease him, challenge him, and sit quietly beside him without needing to fill every silence.

Someone he could know just as well.

Beth drew back enough to look at him. “There’s something else.”

Dave groaned. “Should I be worried?”

“No.”

“That’s what people say before giving someone something to worry about.”

Beth smiled, but her fingers tightened around his. “I don’t want to rush anything.”

“Neither do I.”