“I know how important that freedom is to you. And I never want you to feel like you have to give up on what’s important to you.” His lips taste mine once more. The tender touch leaves my heart stuttering for joy. “I’ve decided to start seeing a therapist.”
“You have?” That was the last thing I expected him to say.
“I have. I was so adamant about you seeing Robyn, I ignored the part where I needed to talk to someone about what happened to Colton. Hell, I tried to get him to talk to a therapist when I knew he was struggling, yet I couldn’t see I wasn’t doing much better after he died.”
“And then I came along and added to your load.” I cringe at how much of a weight that must have been on his shoulders.
“No, you were the one thing helping to keep my head above water. But I’m not just seeing a therapist to help me deal with what happened to Colton. I need help knowing how to support you in a way that’s best for both of us.” His thumb caresses my healing cheek. “Especially after what you’ve just gone through. I can’t pretend to have the answers when I don’t. I don’t want to flail about, trying to make things better for you but only making them worse.”
We were both flailing for a long time, both without a life jacket, both trying to cling to driftwood but losing our grip every time. “I think that’s a good idea. All of it.”
“And I think we should go to couples counseling. We’re dealing with a lot of challenges due to your previous marriage. Counseling might help us to better navigate things between us, and make sure I don’t screw anything up.”
His words yank the breath from me and return it in sweet lungfuls, fresh like the crisp mountain air. “I think that’s a great idea.” I run my fingers through the silky strands of his hair. I’m so buoyed by this new future for us, I don’t need therapy to navigate my way through this moment.
But I do it anyway.
What do I see?
This beautiful, kind man in front of me.
What do I hear?
The beating of our hearts, their rhythm united as one.
What do I feel?
Happy. So very,veryhappy.
Our mouths join, and we deepen the kiss, making up for the six weeks we’ve been apart. Silently promising each other we’ll never be that way again. His kiss makes me feel more alive than I have felt in a long time.Hemakes me feel more alive.
Troy pulls away ever so slightly, his breath soft on my lips. “I know you told Emily you were fine on your own and don’t need her staying with you while you recover, but I want to be here for you. I want to wake up in the morning and be able to pull you into my arms. I want to be the one to help you while you’re healing.” He lightly brushes his fingers over the bullet wound, barely grazing it.
And my heart jumps at how much I also want everything he described.
The doorbell rings, and I swallow a silent groan at the interruption. Noah’s timing when he rescued me was good—although it would have been better if the cops had arrived several days before I was shot.
His timing now…sucks.
69
TROY
October, Present Day
Maple Ridge
Jess’s doorbell rings.
“That’ll be Noah.” I inwardly groan at his crappy timing. I finally get to kiss Jess after being apart from her for more than six weeks, and he picksnowto show up.
I go answer the door. The sooner Noah updates us on the investigation, the sooner Jess and I can go back to making up.
Noah isn’t alone. A woman in a white blouse, navy pants, and suit jacket is with him.
“Hey, Troy,” he says with a casual nod. “This is agent Deidre Knight with the FBI. And this is Troy Carson. Jessica Smithson’s…” He looks to me to fill in the blank.
“I’m her boyfriend.” I open the door wider and let them into the house.
