Chapter 17 #4
“You win,” she retorted, smiling. Dane knew she was teasing him to lighten his tension. His fingers wrapped around her ankle, needing to anchor himself. He wasn’t done, they weren’t done … not yet. “Being judged on who I am and not what I do has been … different.”
“Good different or bad different?”
“Just different, different.” He rubbed his thumb over the dip next to her ankle. “This is the first time I’ve put myself and my happiness first. Instead of running into chaos, I consciously chose to stay behind, to fight for you, and for us.”
Wren scooted closer to him and sat facing him, her thigh against his. “Why did you do that, Dane?”
“Full disclosure. Partly because I don’t think I am, mentally, completely ready to go back. I need a little more time.” As he expected, there was no judgement from Wren. She simply nodded, understanding.
He lifted his hand and cradled her cheek in his big palm. “But mostly because I am so in love with you. Because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Because without you, not much makes sense.”
“I love you, too.” He reached for her, but she put her hand up and shook her head. Her eyes were moist with emotion, but still curious. “I’m loving all of this and am so excited for the future, but you still haven’t explained why Luna thinks you are coming to work as H-Town’s doctor.”
“Ah, that.” He dropped his forehead to hers, his hand moving to her hip. “We all agree Dr. Morris needs to retire, right?”
She nodded.
“I need more time to work through my PTSD and burnout, and taking it slow as a country doctor, doing some ER work, might help me get back to where I was, who I was, quicker and in a healthier way. I also think you and I need time, proper time, to be together, to cement what we have.”
He rubbed his jaw, then his neck. “So, this is a big ask, and I’ll understand if you say no, but can you pass on the London gig?
Just this once? I’d like us to spend the next two months in H-Town—with you teaching the kids if that’s what you want to do, and me running Dr. Morris’s practice while Luna tries to find a permanent doctor—loving each other, laughing, and taking the time to design the life that would make us both happy.
If you can’t, then I’ll just relocate to London with you for as long as you are there. ”
“You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you, Wren. Highest priority now, remember?”
Wren rested her forehead on his chest, and a sigh lifted her shoulders. He’d expected her to ask for time to think, but she simply kissed his chest and lifted her head to smile at him.
“I’ve already turned down the London job,” she said. “I didn’t want to go, and I felt, instinctively, that I needed to be here. So, yeah, let’s stay here for another two months. Let’s work it out.”
Dane released the breath he’d been holding, thrilled. Then Wren moved back and sent him a narrow-eyed look. “But you can’t give up being a trauma doctor, Dane.”
“And you can’t give up being a choreographer, Wren. We’re just giving ourselves two months to settle, to really get to know each other, to create something solid so that when we are apart, we can handle it better.”
“What happens if, in two months, we can’t handle the idea of being apart?”
He shrugged and kissed her cheek, then her nose. “Then we figure out another way forward, sweetheart.” He held her gaze, something sharp and vulnerable in his chest. “Why are you willing to go on this journey with me, Wren?”
“Why am I willing to make us work?” she echoed.
When he nodded, she took a moment to answer him.
“Because I’m tired of running. Tired of expecting men to let me down.
And yeah, maybe you attract what you believe—and I’ve believed the worst. But I’m choosing to believe you’ll stick.
” Her smile trembled. “I’m choosing to believe in you. ”
“I won’t let you down.” His voice came out steady, sure. “I promise.”
She brushed her lips over his cheek. “I know. And … there’s another thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m crazy about you. Head over heels.” Her voice dropped, warm and intimate. “I love that you can’t dance. I love how you handle my godmother, how my friends like you, how you make me shake in bed. I love that you’re smart. And sexy. I love that you love me.”
He didn’t think—just hauled her onto his lap, mouth hovering a breath from hers. “I do love you. And I will. Wherever we are. However far apart we are. That won’t change.”
Wren wrapped her arm around his neck and kissed him, quick and desperate and wet. “Thank you for loving me, choosing me. Staying.”
“You’re the easiest choice I’ve ever made. You’re very easy to love, Wren,” he said, his lips on her cheekbone. “Your father, those other guys … so fucking stupid.”
She pulled back, managed a watery grin. “And you’re a smart guy, right?”
He smiled at her and pushed a long curl behind her ear. “I’m very damn smart.” Pulling her into him, he held her close, wrapping her in his arms. She fit perfectly. Perfect weight. Perfect warmth. Perfect everything.
And for the first time in a long time, he let himself breathe.
And let himself believe.
Because Wren wasn’t just in his arms. She was his home. And he was hers. And neither of them would ever run again.
Or if they did, it would be together.