Chapter 66
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
“Hear me out: mini Highland cows.”
“No,” I whisper into the phone. “We only just got an outdoor enclosure built for like…cats! The cow fence is going to take like a million years to make solid.”
Ronan huffs out a breath. “I don’t see anything but time on your schedule, bluey.”
I twist my face at the nickname, then there’s a clinking, and I glance into the kitchen.
Maddox is setting the table with real settings, not paper plates.
Princess is following behind, as well as Minky, getting all tangled in his legs.
Maddox smiles, a real smile, contentment oozing from his relaxed shoulders and easy dodging.
He grins, setting two extra plates, one for Princess and one for Minky, the little softy.
They’re gonna get fat, but Maddox doesn’t care.
“Helloooo,” Ronan drawls. “Cows. Focus.”
“Right,” I say absently. Because suddenly, my vision from the day I met Maddox flashes before my eyes.
Maddox, Princess Cupcake, and I in our forever house, happily sharing Thanksgiving dinner together, me shoving mashed potatoes in Maddox’s mouth and him shoving them away but laughing at me with a sparkle in his eye.
Outside our warm house, there’s a warm barn filled with animals we’ve rescued as a couple.
My eyes fill with tears because we’ve accomplished it.
We’re safe. We have our animals. We’re working on fixing up the house bit by bit.
I have everything I ever wanted, plus more.
For a second, all I can do is stare. Maddox saved me from my past, that curse, and from not loving myself, whether he knows it or not. I’ll forever be worshiping at his feet.
Realizing I’m still holding the phone, I hang up, tuck it in my pocket, and run to the kitchen. I throw my hands around the man I love. “I love you.”
Maddox looks startled.
Oh no! Abort, abort, I said it too fast!
“You don’t have to say it back,” I rush out. I just had to say it because it’s true. I love Maddox McAllister, and I’d do anything for him, including loving myself. I’m gonna be okay. We’re gonna be okay.
Behind his back, I see Maddox trying to hide the extra plates of food. He looks at me, then to the animals, then around the home we’ve made for ourselves. Then Maddox rolls his eyes. “I love you too, fucker. Now turn away so I can sneak food to these gremlins without you yelling at me.”
I’m stunned. Did he just… Is he for real? The biggest wave of happiness and peace washes over me. Maddox feels safe enough to love again.
I grin and turn away from him just as he asked.
Hear me out–that curse was the best thing to ever happen to me.