“Graham.” Her breath hitched, hard. “You can’t say that.”
“I just did.” His thumb ran along her cheek. “And since Nick has given me his blessing, I’m going to say it again. And again.” He tilted her face back. “Whenever and wherever I feel like it.”
With each word, her hope grew. Nick had changed his mind? Graham loved her? Here, in front of everyone—and she knew everyone was watching—he loved her.
“I love you,” he whispered again. “And even though the kids think you love me, too, I’d feel a hell of a lot better if you said something right now.”
He was worried. Here he was, baring his heart to her, a heart that had been just as broken as hers. Still, he put himself out there—for her—and she hadn’t said a word.
The words came rushing out. “I love you, too.”
He was kissing her then. He didn’t care what sort of gossip followed. It would be worth it. He smiled, resting his forehead against hers and breathing hard.
“You scared me,” he confessed.
“I’m a little shell-shocked myself.” She slid her arms around his waist.
They stood there, wrapped up in each other. Content.
“Hate to break this up,” Nick said, running toward them. “But if you’re not going to use this, Di and I are.”
Graham let go of her long enough to give Nick the ticket.
“We’re good?” Nick asked. “You two, I mean? I was right, Graham? It looks like I was right.” He was all smiles.
“You were right,” Graham agreed.
“Aren’t you glad we booked the bus now, Dad?” Diana yelled from the sidewalk. “Come on, Nick.” She waved him over.
“Better go before we lose the slot.” Nick shook his head and ran to Di, the two of them racing down the sidewalk to the pier and the paddleboats.
“Bus?” she asked.
“To drive to the beach house.” He smoothed the hair from her forehead. “She wanted the big one—in case you changed your mind.”
“I’m glad. I’ve changed my mind.” Her smile demanded her kiss her again.
He did, pausing between kisses to ask, “You’re sure? I don’t want to rush this—”
“How big?” she asked, distracted by the curve of his lips.
“Big enough for all of us. Charity—probably a couch for Owen somewhere, if you think it’s safe?” he asked, casting a concerned glance at the young couple.
“I don’t know if there’s anything safe about love.” Burying her face in his chest felt right. “Besides, he’s leaving in a week. If they want to spend every second of that together, I’m not going to stop them—they’re good kids. Smart kids. I trust them.”
His arms tightened around her. “Okay.”
“When do we leave?” she asked.
He sighed. “After the adoption party? If you want to go?”
She rested her chin on his chest and smiled up at him. In two days, they’d take their first family vacation. The first of many. Whatever life threw at her, at them, they’d face it together. “I want. There’s nothing I want more.”
Epilogue
Owen had this way of looking at her that made her feel beautiful. He said it, too, a lot, but sometimes—when he looked at her—she was beautiful. Tomorrow they would leave for the coast, all of them. Her mom hadn’t bothered asking her if she wanted Owen along. She’d just invited him. It was like her mother knew how important he was and how little time they had left.
“Isn’t that adorable?” Grams asked, holding up the tiny baseball mitt and glove someone had brought for Jack.