Chapter 21 Willa
Willa
I burst into the bakery at six in the morning, and Henry’s coming out of the back. Of course he’s already working. But there’s no apron, and like he’s on a mission with his keys in his head.
“Willa—” He slides to a stop when he sees me.
“I’m not running,” I interrupt. “Not from Wally, not from this, not from you.”
He stops, flour on his hands, hope in his eyes.
I shake my head. “I spent two years making myself smaller to fit into his life. I’m not doing that anymore.” I cross the room to him. “You make me feel big, Henry. Like I take up the right amount of space. Like I matter.”
“Fuck. Willa you matter so—”
“I love you.” The words burst out of me. “I love you and I love Ben, so much, and I’m terrified, but I’m not running. I’m staying and I’m fighting and I’m choosing us.”
His smile is brilliant. “I was coming to find you.”
“What?”
“I was about to close up and come find you and possibly beat the shit out of Dr. Reid.” I cringe. “But more to tell you that I love you too. That I’m not letting you face this alone. That we’re in this together, no matter what.”
I launch myself at him, and he catches me, lifting me up as our mouths crash together.
“I’m sorry,” I gasp between kisses. “I’m so sorry I pushed you away.”
“I understand why you did. But Willa, we’re stronger together. Always.”
“Always,” I agree.
The bakery door chimes, and I turn to see Wally standing there, looking disgusted.
“Really, Willa? This is what you want?”
Henry sets me down but keeps his arm around me. “You need to leave.”
“I’m talking to Willa.”
“And Willa wants you to leave,” I say, my voice steady. “Wally, I don’t love you. I loved who I thought you were, but I didn’t love you.”
“You’re making a mistake—”
“The only mistake I made was staying with you as long as I did.” I step forward. “You made me feel small. Henry makes me feel seen. I’m not going back. Not to Seattle. Not to you. Not to being afraid.”
“You’ll regret this.”
“Actually, I won’t.” I take Henry’s hand. “I have a life here. I have love here. And you need to respect that and leave.”
Sheriff Vacanti appears in the doorway— Henry must have called him. “Dr. Reid, I think it’s time you headed back to Seattle or you’ll be heading to jail for a laundry list of charges that’ll keep you held up for quite some time.”
Wally glares at all of us, but he has no choice. He leaves, and I watch through the window as the sheriff escorts him to his car.
“It’s over,” Henry murmurs. “He’s gone.”
I turn in his arms, and tears stream down my face. “I was so scared.”
“I know. But you were brave anyway. I’m so proud of you.”
We stand there, holding each other, until Ben bursts through the door with Henry’s mom.
“Dr. Willa! Were you brave? Are you okay? Did you scrape your knee?”
I chuckle and kneel down, looking at this sweet boy who’s already claimed a piece of my heart. “I’m staying, Ben. If you’ll have me.”
“Yes!” He throws his arms around me. “I knew it! Daddy, she’s staying!”
“I heard, buddy.” Henry pulls us both close. “She’s staying.”
Later that night, with Ben at his grandparents’ house, Henry takes me home —to his home— and we make love again. But this time it’s different.
It’s a celebration.
It’s a claiming.
It’s a promise.
“You’re mine,” he growls against my neck. “Say it.”
“I’m yours. And you’re mine.”
“Damn right I am.”
Afterwards, tangled in his sheets, he traces patterns on my bare shoulder.
“Move in with us,” he says. “I know it’s fast, but I don’t care. I want you here. Every morning, every night. I want to wake up with you and fall asleep with you and build this life together.”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “Yes to all of it, honey.”
He kisses me, slow and deep. “I love you, Willa Monroe.”
“I love you too, Henry Hunter.”
We fall asleep wrapped in each other, and for the first time since leaving Seattle, I feel like I’m finally home.