I think about how much has changed within the past few days. How Olivia has softened me in ways I never thought were possible. Until her, I was hardened by the lie that I didn’t deserve her love, but no matter what I tried, she has always been able to love me so effortlessly. I will always do the same for her.
Olivia’s hand slides into the collar of my shirt, squeezing the back of my neck and pulling me closer to her. My lips leave hers to trail across her jawline, along her collarbone, down her shoulder. I’m discovering the places that make her gasp or squirm and tucking it away for later. It takes everything in me to pull myself away from her.
I can’t stop looking at her, not just because she’s beautiful—though she absolutely is—but because she’s here. After everything. After I pushed too hard, said too little, and let the silence between us stretch so wide I thought it might swallow us whole.
She stayed.
“I love you,” I say breathlessly.
Olivia blinks away the haze from her eyes and blesses me with a bright smile. The faking, the lies, and the holding back is gone.
“I love you too.” She leans up, and just before our lips touch again, the bedroom door swings open, and we turn to see Raine and Ryland staring at us.
“This room is already taken,” Ryland whispers.
Raine gently elbows Ryland, shaking her head, and says, “We got a bit suspicious when you both never came back to the table.”
“Can it be our turn now?” Ryland adds, sending us all into a fit of laughter.
“Hey, are you all having a makeout partywithout us?” Zane pops his head over Ryland’s shoulder, giving us all a smug grin, before he waltzes into the room with Ashton behind him.
“I’m not making out with you,” Ashton adds and crosses his arms together.
Zane grabs his chest, pretending to be in pain. “That’s just hurtful, man.”
“Did you two finally kiss and make up?” Ashton asks, ignoring Zane.
“Yes,” Olivia and I both say at the same time, grinning up at each other.
“It’s about time. Can we go look at the Christmas lights now?” Zane shouts, tossing a thumb behind his shoulder toward the door.
We usher Zane out the door, but before we leave, Ryland and Raine wrap Olivia and I into a big hug. “This makes me so happy,” Raine squeals, squeezing us tighter.
“Me too,” Ryland adds, giving my shoulder a pat before he releases us.
“Come on!” we hear Zane call impatiently from the hallway.
Raine rolls her eyes as Ryland barks out a laugh, swinging his arm around her shoulder and stepping into the hallway. It brings a certain lightness to my chest, thinking about everything Raine and Ryland had to overcome to get to the good place they’re in now. I look down at Olivia, taking in her joyful smile, the way her hand intertwines with mine, and realize we, too, are finally in our good place.
In the middle of grief, of chaos, of everything we weren’t…we’ve found our way to everything we were meant to be. Somewhere in all the wreckage, we’ve found love waiting for us. This time, we are finally choosing each other.
Chapter Thirty
Olivia
Snowflakes drift lazily from the sky, catching in my hair and melting on the collar of my coat. Downtown Covewood is extra festive this year. Christmas decorations line every street from my house to Main Street. Every light post, tree, and building is wrapped with twinkling lights. Every window is glowing gold. Every storefront is trimmed with garland and red velvet bows.
Poinsettias are planted in the flowerpots that sit next to each small business’s door. Christmas music is blasting from the speakers around us, mixing with the sound of laughter and boots crunching over fresh snow. Everyone has a cup of hot chocolate in their hands, thanks to The Groovy Bean.
The scent of pine and something sweet hangs in the air, giving me warm and familiar vibes. There’s a glow to everything. The kind that doesn’t just come from the lights, but the kind that settles in your chest and makes you feel like something good is always waiting around the corner.
Children run past me, scarves trailing behind them likeribbons. A couple shares a kiss beneath a mistletoe arch. The sense of community is irreplaceable. Being in the middle of it all leaves me feeling full because this is the place I get to call home.
Standing along the crowded sidewalk, Raine and I patiently wait for the parade to start. She has her camera strapped around her neck, busily snapping photographs, and I grab her arm and tug her to me for a quick selfie to send to Luke.
We’re here and waiting way too long for you.
Luke
