I kiss her forehead. Her skin in cold and wet, and it makes me ache for her to be in my arms. I kiss her nose. Then each of her cheeks. “I love you, Kat. I’ve loved you ever since you dragged that ragged suitcase into my home and shook up my life. I need you with me. Your daughter needs you. Will you please stay?”
She opens her eyes. “How could I leave? I’m so utterly in love with you, I couldn’t even leave when I was sure you never wanted to see me again.”
I take in a deep breath, hope filling my chest. “I love you, more than words can express. You are my other half. When I’m not with you, my world falls apart.”
More tears slide down her cheeks, and I wipe them away. “Please stop hating yourself for what happened in the past. It’s time to move beyond it.”
Kiki places her hand on my cheek, and stares into my eyes. “I will try.”
I tilt her chin with my finger and place a kiss on her lips. She wraps her arms around me, and I hold her tightly. I was worried I’d never see her again. That I’d never get a chance to tell her I loved her. Pure joy fills my chest, and I pull back from her. “I’m so glad you came back to me. I’m a better person because of you. Because you loved me.”
She pulls me close and kisses my lips as rain slides down my face. “I could say the same thing to you.”
“Come inside. You need to get changed.” I stand and pull her up. She doesn’t argue this time.
KIKI EMMERSON
I follow Tobias inside. He sends me up the stairs to change. My fingers shake as I put on dry clothes, a pair of capri jeans and a crop top. I can’t believe Tobias knows everything and he hasn’t sent me away. He didn’t yell hateful things at me. Instead, he told me he loves me. My heart fills with emotion.
I walk down the stairs. Tobias waits for me in the living room. He turns to look at me, but balks. “You’re bleeding.”
“I am?”
“Your feet.” I look down to see several places where those sandals rubbed me raw. He’s right. I’m bleeding. “Sit down,” he says softly.
I sit on the sofa, and Tobias leaves the room, coming back with a first aid kit. “I’m so sorry,” he says as he pulls out the ointment.
“Sorry for what?”
He sighs as he kneels before me. He gently picks up my foot, placing it on his lap. “I bought you sandals that hurt your feet.”
I hold back a laugh. “That’s not your fault.”
He bandages up the cuts and blisters on my feet and heels. A sense of love for him overwhelms me as he stands and takes the first aid kit back into the bathroom.
“Kiki?” a small voice says from the stairs.
My heart jumps. Skyler steps off the stairs and runs to me. I scoop her up onto my lap, and she throws her arms around me. “You’re back.”
Tears well in my eyes as I hug her to me. “Yes, sweetheart. I’m back.”
Tobias comes back into the room and sits next to us on the sofa. He puts his arms around us both. “Kiki’s here to stay.”
I’m so happy my heart could burst. I finally feel like I belong somewhere. Like I have a family. I hug both of them close to me. This is the start of something beautiful, I can tell.
EPILOGUE
NOAH BARRETT
THREE WEEKS LATER
Ipace the living room floor as I wait for my brothers and Kiki to arrive. Kiki insisted on throwing a housewarming party for me, even though I told her I didn’t need one. She’s something else. I’m glad she didn’t leave Willow Shade Island. Tobias is so in love with her, my heart broke for him when I had to take her to the shuttle. I was scared she’d leave, and he would never be able to love again. It’s good to see them happy together.
My doorbell rings, and I walk to the door and open it. Kiki rushes in, a grocery bag in her arms. “Hey, Noah. This is such a cute place. I can’t wait to see how you’ll decorate it.”
I smile. That’s code for “why haven’t you put anything up on the walls?” I have no decorating skills at all, so the house is bareexcept for a few pieces of furniture and a bookshelf. I know it’s lame, but I have no idea what else to do with the place.
Tobias follows, carrying a tray of food. Skyler enters with Levi and Micah, who looks like he’d rather be in bed. I totally get it. Since I work the night shift, I’m usually asleep at this time of day. I’m okay right now, but I’ll crash in a couple of hours, after my family leaves.
