41. Veronica
41
Veronica
“ T his is amazing. I can’t believe you guys created all this in such a short amount of time,” Gemma gushes as we walk through the various backgrounds.
“It was mostly all Blair and Ford, but yeah, it turned out pretty amazing, huh?” I ask, pride beaming on my face as I take in all the blood, sweat, and tears it took to get this place ready so quickly.
It’s almost surreal to see this storefront now, transformed from the old model train shop into a professional photography studio, complete with its own darkroom. Just a few months ago, this place was nothing more than a rundown space with old shelves and cobwebs in every corner. But now, it’s everything Blair dreamed of—and, most importantly, everything she deserves.
“It really did,” Maeve agrees, her eyes also taking in all the decor. “I can’t wait to bring my kids and get an updated family picture.”
“Blair would absolutely love that,” I say with a grin, as I beam with pride. It’s incredible to see so many people eager to embrace her vision. Pouring all your money and life savings into a dream is one thing, but if nobody else sees it or wants it, what’s the point? However, judging by the steady stream of familiar faces from around town showing up, it’s clear Blair’s dream isn’t just going to work—it’s going to flourish.
“Speaking of Blair, or rather, a Bennett, it looks like someone might be looking for you.” Gemma smiles, her nose wrinkling in excitement.
I don’t even have to turn around to know who she’s talking about, but I also have to wonder if she’s misinterpreting what’s happening. These past few weeks he’s been avoiding me, just as much as I’ve been avoiding him. I highly doubt he wants anything to do with me tonight—or ever, for that matter.
“God, he’s fine. You lucky bitch,” Gemma adds, her voice low enough before her face completely lights up. “Hi, Miles.”
“Hey,” his deep voice rings out, sending shivers down my spine. I hate that he still has this much of a hold on me, especially when I’ve been trying so hard to get over him.
Glancing over my shoulder, I force a smile in his direction, doing my best to play it cool.
“Hey,” he repeats, this time speaking to me as his deep-blue eyes bore into mine.
“Hi,” I reply, hating how quiet and breathy it sounds, but I can’t help it. He still has me, even when I wish he didn’t.
“Maybe we should give you a minute, yeah?” Maeve suggests, already reaching for Gemma’s arm as she tugs her further into the studio.
“Have fun, you two,” Gemma calls out in a sing-song voice, her and Maeve’s soft giggles ringing out as they excuse themselves.
“Sorry about them,” I apologize, turning to face him as I point over my shoulder with my thumb.
“No, it’s fine. I was actually hoping we could have a moment to talk,” he says.
My brows furrow. “Really?”
“Yeah, as long as that’s okay. I know you’ve been wanting some distance...” he says, waiting for my answer.
“Oh, uh, yeah. That’s fine,” I hastily reply. Sure, I’ve been wanting, and even needing, the space, but now that I have his attention, I can’t help but want to hold onto it for as long as I can.
“Maybe we could find somewhere a little more private?” he suggests, his gaze darting around the room. Though the space is reasonable for a photography studio, it’s nowhere near large enough to comfortably accommodate the entire town. Thankfully, most guests are outside where the main festivities are happening, but the studio is still packed with curious onlookers, excited to see the new business.
“Yeah, sure. Everything okay?” I ask, still thrown off. He’s had plenty of time to talk to me—we are roommates, after all—so what’s so special about now?
“Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine. I was just hoping we could talk about a few things.”
The crease in my brow deepens, but I nod before spotting the door to the darkroom. “Maybe we could go in there?” I suggest, tilting my head toward the back of the studio.
While much of the place is open to the public, especially for the people to explore, that part has been marked as off-limits.
“Yeah, let’s go,” he agrees, his hand finding its place on the lower part of my back as he guides me through the small throng of people.
I open the door, step inside, and he follows, closing it behind us.
“So...” I begin, walking further into the small, darkened room before turning to face him. “What exactly did you want to talk about?”
“Us,” he states, his eyes finding mine.
I fold my arms across my chest. “Us? What about us?” I ask, my voice shaky as I look down, no longer able to bear his piercing stare.
“I’m not ready for us to be over. I’m miserable without you,” he bluntly confesses as I finally dare to glance in his direction.
“Miles—” I start, but he shakes his head and crosses the room, stopping in front of me.
“Vee,” he says, his voice a raw and desperate plea. “I know you’re scared. Hell, I’m scared too, but we can’t let that fear hold us back. I don’t just want to explore what we have; I need to. You’ve become more than a want, you’re a necessity. Without you, everything feels shallow and pointless. I can’t keep pretending I’m okay living without you, because I’m not. You’ve filled a void in me I didn’t even know existed, and I refuse to go back to that kind of emptiness.”
My mouth drops open as my eyes soften. “Miles—” I start again, but he takes another step forward and stops me from continuing.
“Let me just get this all out, okay?” he asks, and I nod in silent agreement. “I know that we’ve set ourselves up with a timeline and said that as soon as our elopement ends, so do we, but maybe we don’t need to give ourselves a timeline, and maybe we don’t even need to get an annulment.”
“What?” I blurt, that being the last thing I expected to hear from him tonight.
“Well, I mean, we can if that’s what you really want, but an annulment means that this,” he says, pointing between the two of us, “never happened. And I don’t like that, because what we have is real, and even if some day in the far and distant future we decide that we don’t want to continue this, I don’t want to pretend that we never happened, or that you weren’t my wife. I love you, Veronica Prescott, and while maybe we don’t need to act like some married couple, I’m not ready to throw everything away. I can’t do that, and I hope you don’t want to either.”
I raise a hand to cover my mouth. I’m not a complete idiot. I knew he felt something for me, but I never could have imagined that he felt everything as strongly as I did. Hell, old Veronica probably would have guessed that the only ones he was truly ever capable of loving were Blair and Bubba.
“I love you too.” I confess, my face splitting into a wide grin as I place my hands on his chest.
“Really?” he asks, carefully wrapping his arms around my middle as if I might suddenly break or disappear.
“Yes. Really,” I promise, and before I can make the first move, he beats me to it, his lips hungrily pressing into mine. God, I’ve missed this.
It doesn’t take long as he maneuvers us through the room until my back is pressed into the small countertop, and the two of us are nothing but a tangle of lips, tongues, and needy hands, clearly needing to make up for lost time.
“So you really love me?” he breathily asks, finally pulling his lips away from mine. He brushes some hair behind my ear before letting his hand rest on the side of my neck, his thumb brushing soft circles along my cheek.
“Yes. I really love you.” I raise my hand to his cheek, making sure he’s looking at me as I continue. “So, so much,” I promise, needing him to truly hear it.
I know that he and Blair didn’t have the easiest childhood, and I had to watch firsthand how his sister struggled with trust issues when it came to feeling loved or even lovable. However, the Bennetts are the most lovable people on this entire planet, and I feel so incredibly lucky to be the one who’s gotten to experience something this real and intense with the both of them.
“So, what do you think about what I said about the whole annulment thing?” he asks, his still somewhat uncertain eyes searching mine.
“I think we should call our lawyers first thing Monday morning and put a stop to it.” I smile, letting my hand slide back toward the nape of his neck as my fingertips curl into his hair.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to think—”
I speak before he can say more. “I’m sure. I’m beyond sure. In fact, I think it just came true.”
His brows draw together in confusion. “What did?”
“My wish. Remember? At the wishing well in Disneyland. I told you I’d let you know when my wish came true, and it just did.”
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You wished for me?”
“I mean, not you exactly, but in a roundabout way, I guess I sort of did.” I casually shrug. “I wished for my real-life Prince Charming and my very own true happily ever after, and it looks like I’ve finally gotten everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“Are you sure about that?” he asks, a deep chuckle accompanying his words. “I’m not so sure anyone has ever referred to me as a Prince Charming before. If anything, you’re probably kissing yourself a frog.”
“Maybe so, but if you remember, she turned that frog into a prince, so that’s how I plan to look at it. Then again...” I trail off, my eyes scanning across his face, “I’d say you more closely resemble the Beast, which don’t worry, that’s a good thing. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of my favorites. Although, I think I prefer our story the best. Our love is one of a kind and way better than any silly fairytale. What we have is real. ” I beam up at him.
“God, you’re so adorable,” he says, leaning down to kiss me once more.
“Right back at ya,” I say once he’s pulled back, even though he’s still resting his forehead against mine.
“I still don’t know if I’d go as far as calling myself a Prince Charming, but I will say I do like the person I become whenever you’re around.”
“That has nothing to do with me. That’s who you’ve always been. I think I just make it easier for you to be your true self,” I offer, since it’s not like I’m forcing him to be someone else, or at least I certainly hope not.
“Well, either way, I’m just glad we’re back on the same page. And I hope you know that I’m planning on doing everything in my power to make sure I never hurt you. My job from here on out is to protect you and your heart for the rest of my life,” he promises,lifting his chin to kiss the top of my forehead.
“And I promise to protect yours as well,” I assure him right back. “I know you like to pretend to be super tough, but deep down I know you’re nothing but a big softy.”
“Hey now,” he says, an amused lilt to his tone. “Don’t go around advertising that. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Don’t worry, Broody Bennett. Your secret is safe with me,” I promise. “Now, what do you say about us taking this whole thing public?”
Sure, the majority of the town knows, or at least thinks they do after the night at the Timberline, but now that things are officially official, I’m ready to truly announce, once and for all that we’re together.
“Let’s do it,” he agrees, stepping back while also reaching for my hand. “I’m pretty sure they already do, but it’s time to truly make sure everyone in this town knows that Veronica Prescott belongs to Miles Bennett, and if anyone messes with her, they’re choosing to mess with me.”
“Alright, whatever you say, Mr. Tough Guy,” I tease, but honestly, I sort of love it. With Pete, it always felt like he wanted me because of who I was in the town or what my reputation could bring him, but with Miles, I finally feel like someone wants me for me, and that feels pretty damn special. “Lead the way,” I say, pointing, as we walk out of the room, hand in hand—maybe not for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Miles Bennett, but for the first time where it finally feels totally and completely real.