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His thumbs traced slow, soothing circles on my cheeks. “Then don’t do it alone. Let me prove to you that I’m not going anywhere.”

I swallowed hard, emotions thick in my throat. “I don’t want to be the one who cares more.”

His jaw tensed, like the idea physically hurt him. “Rose, that’s not possible.” His fingers curled slightly, his touch firm. “I don’t want to wake up one day regretting that I didn’t fight hard enough for you.”

I exhaled shakily, the last of my defenses slipping away.

“What are we, then?” I asked, the question trembling on my lips. “Because I can’t do this halfway. I can’t be the person who waits around hoping you’ll choose me over and over again.”

Wells didn’t even hesitate. “We’re together.” His voice was steady, certain. “If you’ll have me, that’s what we are.”

A lump formed in my throat.

“I need you to tell Marie,” I said softly. “I won’t be your secret.”

His lips pressed into a firm line, and then he nodded. “I will. Today.”

I searched his face, waiting for hesitation, but there was none.

He meant it.

Slowly, I let out a breath.

His hands slid down to my jaw, his forehead dipping to rest against mine. “Okay?”

I let my hands move up his arms, gripping his biceps, grounding myself in the warmth of him.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “Okay.”

Wells let out a slow breath, his forehead still resting against mine. Neither of us moved, like stepping away would break whatever fragile thing had just settled between us.

His hands slid down my arms, fingers brushing against mine before finally lacing them together. “I’ll take care of it, Rose.” His voice was soft but sure. “I’ll tell Marie. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I’m all in.”

I searched his face, my heart pounding. “I believe you.”

A small, relieved smile flickered across his lips before he pressed them to my forehead, lingering there for just a beat.

I closed my eyes, letting myself soak in the warmth of it, the tenderness. Letting myself believe, just for a moment, that this could work.

Then a loud click snapped us both back to reality.

The door swung open, revealing Blythe standing there with a satisfied look on her face, arms crossed. “Are we good here?”

Wells gave my hands a final squeeze before turning to her. “Yeah, we’re good.”

Blythe’s eyes darted between us before settling on me, her expression softening. “You sure?”

I exhaled, steadying myself before nodding. “Yeah. I think so.”

“Good.” She grinned, stepping back to let us out. “Because Charlie and I were about five minutes away from blasting country breakup songs until you two figured your shit out.”

Wells groaned.

Blythe smirked.

I let out a small, breathy laugh, and for the first time since last night, it didn’t feel forced.

Wells kept hold of my hand as we stepped out of the room, his thumb brushing over my knuckles like a silent promise.