Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Layton
L iving alone has always suited me. Never having to worry about someone else’s plans or mess is how I’ve preferred it. Until today, that is, when every hour ticked by slower, and all I could think about was when I would see Daphne again. When I could have her in my space again. It’s a foreign concept, but I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. We’d been back together for a matter of hours, and yet I was thinking about how to get her to move in. What kind of wedding dress would she choose for herself? Would she make it?
What the hell was wrong with me? If I don’t get my shit together, I might scare her off, and that’s the last thing I want. Just spending hours without her has sucked. I can’t imagine her giving up on this second chance now.
When I open the door, she’s still climbing up the steps, and I’m greeted with her beautiful smile. A big duffle bag is slung over her shoulder. That’s a good sign. I reach for it when she steps into my arms and starts peppering my face with excited kisses, making me laugh. I just manage to get the bag before grabbing her around the waist and pulling her into my arms. She easily finds her balance, wrapping her legs around me, and I take her inside and straight to the island counter, kissing her as soon as her ass hits the tabletop. It’s deep and long, and I wish it never ends, but my oven alarm sounds, letting me know the pasta bake is done. I pull away just an inch, putting my forehead to hers.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Would it scare you away if I admit I missed you?”
She smiles up at me, biting that sweet lip again. “No, I missed you too. Thanks for making dinner.”
“I hope you still like Carbonara baked.”
“It’s still my favorite.” She tells me with a look I’ll forever remember. There is just something in the way her eyes shine up at me. The look is so soft and tender, like she’s in awe. As if she thought I could forget anything about her. The thought is ludicrous. I admit I tried for years to push everything about her out of my mind, but luckily, I never succeeded. She’s my person, and she’s here now. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives together.
We set the table together in silence. Each of us reaches out to touch the other whenever the other gets close, flirting in comfortable silence. I couldn’t be happier. This is exactly what I want for the rest of my life. To come home to Daphne, make her dinner, and listen to her talk about her day while I run my fingers through her hair.
“There’s something I have to talk to you about,” Daphne announces, and suddenly, the comfort in our silence grows thick with tension. Her shoulders are tense as she sits beside me. A worried look paints her face as she stares down at the plate of food in front of her instead of me.
“What is it?” I say gently, taking her hand in mine and bringing it to rest on the table between us. “Whatever it is, Daphne, I’m here for you.”
I was aiming for reassurance, but fear strikes my chest when tears spring to her eyes. My hand lets hers go and cups her face, begging her with my eyes to tell me what’s wrong.
“What is it, baby? You’re scaring me.”
After she visibly swallows her emotions and takes a deep breath, she continues. “I got a letter today.” A pause follows as she gathers her words. “It’s an invitation to join an elite group of dress designers and work under the mentorship of a legend. I’ll receive materials no one else will and a chance to have my work featured in a leading magazine.”
“Oh wow! That’s awesome! Hell yeah, Daphne.” I jump to my feet excitedly, scooping her up in my arms. I twirl her around and chant more words of praise. “I’m so fucking proud of you. You’re so amazing, baby.”
She giggles in my arms, holding me tight until I put her feet back on the ground. Leaning back to look down at her, I’m shocked to still see that worry still twirls in her ocean-deep eyes.
“You’re going to kick ass. Don’t worry. I have enough faith in you for the both of us if you’re scared.”
That finally brings a smile to my girl’s face. I realize in that moment that it’s very unlikely this opportunity for her is in Magnolia Point, and then she confirms it.
“I would have to leave town. Vivian’s hosting the program in Starlight Bay, Massachusetts, this year. From there, I don’t know what will happen. I haven’t even called to confirm yet because I-” She stops, stumbling for the right words.
“I don’t want you to go either, I just got you back, but we’ll make it work, Daphne. I want great things for you, not to be the one who holds you back.”
“Exactly. I don’t want to leave you. This is so unfair.”
I can’t help but smile and kiss her forehead. “I’m yours, Daphne. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to. I promise there is no end to us.”
“What does that mean? You’ll come with me?”
I don’t even have to think twice about it. “Yes, I will. I’ll go where you go, and we’ll face every obstacle from there together. We’re forever, no matter what obstacles try to come between us. I’m never giving up on you, Daphne.”
Choked with tears, she jumps into my arms. For several long minutes, we just hold each other tight. It’s not merely a promise. It’s a solemn vow.
“I love you,” she says, breaking through the falling silence.
“I love you so damn much,” I reply with all my heart.
We eventually sit back at the table and dig into our dinner. The heavy emotion from earlier is now calm between us. I let Daphne tell me all about Vivian Lancaster and some guy named Enzo Rossi. She knows next to nothing about her travel plans, so I tell her we’ll figure it out together. Despite the huge changes in our lives that are coming up, we’re excited and in love, and I know with all my heart that I’m making the right decision to follow her. She’s the love of my life, and I’m ready to be happy by making her happy.
“To the next chapter in our love story,” I say, holding up my glass of wine.
She clinks hers against mine with a smile. “To our next adventure, my love.”