“Thank you,” he says.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Really?” He’s half teasing, half asking. I get it. He needs confirmation of where I stand.
I’m about to answer when Snowflake comes barreling across the lawn, yapping away like we’re hiding her favorite bone and she’s bound and determined to retrieve it.
Vaughn scoops her up and returns to a sitting position beside me with Snow in his lap. “Hey, girl. Your timing sucks.”
I sit up. “How did she get out?”
“It’s not the first time. I think I know where she escapes from. Come on. I’ll help you close it up.” He moves to stand.
I stop him with a hand to his arm. “Wait.”
This moment right here is one I will never forget: our eyes locked, the air still, the only sound our beating hearts. “There’s nothing I want more than to be there for you. I’m sorry I got scared. I’m sorry I let you walk away like I did.” I take his hand in mine. “I love you. I love you so much I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
Vaughn smiles. It’s big, bright. Mine. It rearranges my molecules. Makes me feel safe. Cherished. “Are you putting the ball back in my court, Kendall? Because I’ll warn you now, I’m keeping it.”
I smile in return. “That’s exactly what I’m doing. What you said on national tele—”
He kisses me. It’s lips and tongues, love and passion. I feel it everywhere, but most of all, in my heart. He pulls away way too soon. “You’re staying in L.A.?”
“Yes. This might sound weird, but I’ve found myself in the things that matter most,” I say. “Art in Progress. My sisters. You.”
Another full-watt smile lifts his mouth, lights his face, and renders me momentarily speechless. He puts Snow on the grass, gets to his feet, and lifts me up, spinning me around with my feet flying behind me.
“Vaaaauuuughn! Put me down!”
“No way. I’m not letting you go ever again.”
“Okay,” I say as he slows and eventually lowers me so my feet touch the ground. True to his word he doesn’t release me.
“I love you, Kendall. For the girl you were, and the woman you are.”
“Thanks for being patient with me.”
“Always.”
“Thanks for being mine.”
“Easiest thing I’ve ever done. And”—he kisses me—“something I will never take for granted.”
I smile. “I feel the same.”
“What do you say we take this mutual admiration society to my bedroom?”
“I say that sounds great.”
Snowflake barks. Vaughn and I laugh.
“How about my bedroom?” I ask.
“I don’t care where we go as long as I’ve got you to myself for the rest of the day.”
“That can be arranged.” We hold hands and lead Snow home.
“My life is about to get a lot more frenetic,” he says. “But no matter what, my priority is you. I can’t promise to shield you from everything, but we can keep our private life private. We don’t have to—”