“That’s easy. We don’t even have to play make-believe. That’s just what we are.” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him again. “We get to bring Liam home.”
“One big, healthy family.”
“Happy too.”
He ran his hand down the side of my neck. “I hope you’re happy, Penny.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve never been so happy in my entire life.” I pressed the side of my face against his chest. Nothing could have been better than this moment.
***
I turned off the movie when the credits started rolling and turned to James. “So? What did you think?”
“It was funny.”
My feet were resting in his lap, so I gently kicked his thigh. “What do you mean it was funny?”
“It is a comedy, right? I’m pretty sure that’s what it’s listed as.” He set down his slice of pizza, like he was ready to prove his point. Instead of continuing though, he just stared at me. Waiting patiently to understand the importance of this romance.
“Yes, a romantic comedy. But what did you think about the whole meaning of their relationship?”
He stared at me skeptically. “I thought Westley looked an awful lot like Tyler. It was hard to look past that.”
I laughed. “They don’t look that similar. Just like the…hair and eyes. But James, it isn’t about what he looks like. That has absolutely nothing to do with it.”
“Then I don’t get it.”
I rolled my eyes. Sometimes men were so dense. “I first saw this movie when I was a freshman in high school I think. And I kept hoping that one day, someone would love me that much. But in my heart, I thought I knew that would never be the case. Because no one had ever loved me. No one had ever put me first. I didn’t know how that felt. I thought I was destined to be alone. Until you.”
He grabbed my ankle and pulled me closer to him on the couch. “I love you that much.”
“I know. I love you that much too. Which reminds me…I did something. You’ve probably been wondering where I disappeared to earlier today?”
“I was wondering. But my decision to have zero stress in my life told me to ignore it. That you’d tell me when you were ready.”
“I’m ready.”
“And this isn’t going to stress me out?”
“Not in the slightest. At least, I hope not. I guess if you don’t like it…” I shook my head. “You’ll like it.”
He raised his eyebrow in that sexy way of his.
I moved my feet off his lap and stood up. He was watching me so expectantly. Like I truly did hold the key to his heart. Like every move I made he wanted to see and be there with me. Like he loved me more than any hero in any movie. I slowly pulled my shirt off over my head.
“I feel like I’m going to like this.”
I laughed and tossed my shirt at him.
He caught it before it covered his head. “A striptease to celebrate the health of our family?”
“Well, it can turn into that if you want. But I need to show you something first.” I unhooked my bra and pulled it off.
His eyes were glued to my breasts.
“James.” I waved my hand in front of his face. “I’m trying to show you something.” I pointed to the bandage on the side of my ribcage. I tried not to wince as I pulled it off.
I watched his eyes scan the words. And the lines of an EKG machine. And the date that we first met.
