Whisling Island Finale (Whisling Island #13)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Elise drew a deep breath as she laid an open palm on her stomach, hoping that small act of reassurance would help to calm the tempest brewing within her. Her silver dress felt too constricting, the shapewear under it warring with the curves of her body. Her blonde hair was pulled too tight against her scalp and her makeup was so heavy she could feel it on her face, but according to the makeup artist Aiden’s people had hired, the look made her green eyes pop.

“You look absolutely breathtaking as always,” Aiden spoke into her ear as the two of them descended the steps into a giant gala hosted by Aiden’s favorite charity.

And suddenly the storm calmed. Elise could do this. Maybe not well, but she could do this. Aiden asked so little of her, so she wanted to make him proud. And hopefully showing up tonight would do just that.

After so many years in the business, Aiden had pulled back on his public appearances. No longer did he have to bow to the whims of the Hollywood elite to earn his place—he was the Hollywood elite now—but there were some events he attended because he chose to. This annual gala was one of them. And when he’d asked Elise to join him, she couldn’t say no, much as she hated the scrutiny that came with being his significant other in the public eye. She knew as an innkeeper on the small island of Whisling, she’d never be enough for the hungry, ruthless Hollywood machine. Yet she loved being on Aiden’s arm, her anchor in the sea of glitter and glam.

Elise tried not to blink in the face of all of the camera lights flashing aggressively as their picture was taken. Well, Aiden’s picture. Elise was only in them because of her proximity to her boyfriend.

A genuine smile lit her rosebud lips. Her boyfriend. She really would never get tired of calling Aiden that.

“Aiden!” another photographer called out, waving hopefully for the actor’s attention.

Aiden’s wavy brown hair went airborne for a split second as he turned and flashed his smolder in the direction of said cameraman and then bent his head toward Elise to whisper from the corner of his mouth, “They’re only allowed to be here for another five minutes.”

Elise nodded, her stiff smile back in place, grateful for the reassurance though Aiden had explained it all before. This gala didn’t have a red carpet entrance so the news/paparazzi were allowed inside the event for only the first half hour. After that, they were escorted back out so that the partygoers could enjoy themselves in peace.

“Julia!” a single photographer yelled, his voice high in frantic excitement, and before Elise had more than registered what he said, the hordes of them deserted her and Aiden in a stampede for the only photo of the night that would be more sought after than Aiden’s.

Elise had been told that the right Julia Price photo could easily sell for five figures. For one photo. It was mind boggling to Elise.

She turned back to see Julia, a fellow Whisling Island resident, smiling in a way that Elise would never be able to perfect. The woman was made for the spotlight.

Julia waved her fingers in Elise and Aiden’s direction, somehow appearing natural yet posed in a way that had every photographer confident they’d gotten the money shot of the night.

Elise tried to wave back in the same discreet manner but knew she’d failed miserably, though the act did make her genuine smile reappear, this time at her own lack of decorum.

But Elise was who she was. A very average girl from Kansas City whose idea of adventure was renovating an inn on the island where her adoptive sister, Amber’s, birth mom lived.

And thankfully, Aiden seemed to love everything about her. Elise wasn’t sure why, but she wasn’t about to look that gift horse in the mouth.

A gentle hand at her back, Aiden navigated the two of them deeper into the party, greeting his many acquaintances and admirers along the way. A secret Elise would take with her to the grave was that Aiden didn’t feel he had many true friends—pretty much the only one in Hollywood was his best friend Josh. He had people who he’d worked with and liked, and an even longer list of those he’d associated with and disliked, but deep, genuine friendships? They were few and far between.

Aiden laughed at some joke Elise had missed before leading her toward her favorite part of the party. “I’m guessing food first?” he asked.

The man sure did know the way to her heart.

Elise grinned widely, dropping any attempt at a poised and aloof smile, as the two went to the buffet, no line in sight. Elise was pretty sure Julia would join them once the photographers’ five minutes were up, but other than Julia or Josh, Elise had rarely seen anyone eat food at this type of event. Which was a shame since they were often catered by the best of the best in the culinary world.

“Why is it that no one ever eats at these things?” Elise asked quietly.

She may be na?ve in this world, but she didn’t want everyone to know it.

Aiden pointed toward the one long line in the room that snaked right up to the bar. “I can guarantee nine tenths of this room is on some kind of diet where this kind of food isn’t permissible, and that last ten percent are much more interested in the open bar.”

Elise frowned. She loved a good drink but come on, how could one pass up perfectly cooked and seasoned filet mignon? Just the aroma was making her stomach growl inside her constricting clothes.

“Poor Josh,” Aiden muttered under his breath, catching Elise’s full attention once more.

Elise looked in the direction of her boyfriend’s gaze to see Aiden’s best friend flanked on either side by stunning women.

One spoke animatedly while Josh nodded, his Hollywood smile in place.

“Please don’t ever tell Amber this is what happens when she stands Josh up,” Elise said as she placed one of those perfect steaks on her plate. “She’ll never believe he actually wants her here if this is his alternative.”

The plates were always tiny at these things. She’d have space for the steak and little else. Oh well, she guessed that just meant she’d have to make multiple trips to the buffet.

Aiden shook his head. “Josh’s hanger-ons might be beautiful, but every move they make is calculated to squeeze the most out of the man that they can. Amber, on the other hand, doesn’t take anything from Josh even when he offers it. He knows she’s the kind he wants—I just wish that she could see it. Her canceling on him because the inn supposedly needed her was kind of a lame excuse.”

Elise nodded. It had been. Especially because Elise and Amber both knew full well their competent manager had everything in hand for the weekend. It would have been easy for both sisters to make the jaunt down to LA. But Amber had chickened out, convinced that Josh had only invited her as a favor to Elise and Aiden. Elise didn’t understand how her sister couldn’t see the poor man was besotted with her. But then again, Amber had been burned badly by her ex-fiancé. Elise guessed it wasn’t a surprise that her crushed heart was still healing.

“But I think he understands,” Aiden said.

Elise hoped so. Josh was truly one of the good ones and she’d hate to see her sister miss out because of her fears. She knew one day Amber would regret it.

Josh lifted a hand in their direction, as if Aiden had hailed him, and said something quickly to the now disappointed women before jogging in their direction, his professional smile giving way to a genuine one.

If Elise hadn’t fallen so hard for Aiden she’d have a hard time keeping her eyes off of Josh’s form as he made his way across the room. He filled out his tux in every right place, all while seeming perfectly at ease jogging through Hollywood’s finest. That took a kind of confidence Elise wasn’t sure she’d ever even understand, much less possess.

Josh gave them a quick hello before turning to a woman who stood behind the buffet, lifting one of the small plates Elise had just been complaining about. “Do you happen to have anything larger?”

Josh accompanied his question with his signature charming grin. The poor woman hadn’t stood a chance. She scrambled for a few minutes before finding Josh exactly what he’d asked for. In fact, she gave him four large glass plates so Josh gave one to Elise and Aiden before piling food on the two he’d kept for himself.

“You’re quite handy to have around,” Elise said as she set her tiny, useless plate on the big one and then followed Josh in line. He seemed to know what he was doing.

“I’d love if your sister felt the same way,” Josh mumbled.

Elise wasn’t sure how to respond but thankfully Josh moved on quickly, probably understanding Elise really couldn’t tell him much of anything when it came to Amber. She had to be loyal to her sister and revealing anything more than what Amber had told Josh when she’d cancelled on him seemed like betrayal.

Josh eyed the next chafing dish and then nodded. “Thank goodness someone with sense catered this one. The last event I went to had cauliflower mash instead of real potatoes. Don’t get me wrong, I love broccoli’s not so splashy cousin, but in my mash I want a spud.”

Elise didn’t blame him. There really was something special about a perfectly mashed potato.

With very full plates, Aiden led the three of them to an open table, allowing Elise to finally take a seat. She sighed in relief as she settled onto the plush cushion. She hadn’t been on her feet long, but the five-inch heels Aiden’s stylist had insisted on Elise wearing were already killing her. She had to admit that they did look amazing, though.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” Josh said to Elise, causing Aiden to scoff.

Josh raised an eyebrow in his friend’s direction.

“By the way? As if Elise’s beauty is an afterthought?” Aiden challenged before digging into his steak.

Elise and Josh laughed, the former loving that her boyfriend wasn’t jealous that Elise had gotten attention. He was more annoyed that Josh wasn’t giving Elise’s beauty what Aiden considered its due. And Elise found that adorable.

Elise hadn’t ever believed in soul mates but then Aiden went and did things like this? It made Elise think that God must have designed Aiden just for her.

“Sorry, bro. I was a little distracted by the food.”

Aiden nodded, apparently appeased by Josh’s answer. The friends did take their meals seriously. Even when they were training for their superhero roles where they’d have their shirts off and their abs on display for half the movie, both men had glorious cheat meals right after filming, never able to stay away from their favorite foods for long.

After another bite of the perfectly tender steak, Aiden raised an eyebrow as he took in his friend, glancing behind him to the group of women that still watched Josh. “I saw Krista and Layna had you cornered?”

Josh shoveled a giant mouthful of potatoes into his mouth before nodding.

“They heard Charlotte had to pull out of our Whisling movie and wanted me to put in a good word for them to the casting team,” Josh explained after swallowing.

Elise cocked her head, a teasing glint in her eye. “I’m not sure that’s all they were interested in.”

“They’ve both been after Josh for a long time,” Aiden added.

Josh shook his head as he pushed his mash around with his fork. “But they’re not for me.” He left it at that.

Elise’s heart hurt because she knew who was for him. Yet, Amber just wouldn’t give him a chance. Granted, Josh was used to getting any woman he’d wanted. Maybe a bit of a chase would do his ego—and Amber’s self-esteem—some good.

Elise looked up just in time to notice the approach of Julia with Ellis Rider, country superstar who also happened to be Julia’s boyfriend. “Do you mind if we join you?” she asked.

Aiden pulled out the chair next to him. “We’d love it.”

Julia sat in the chair Aiden had offered as Ellis took the seat next to her.

Elise looked admiringly at the woman she’d come to respect. “Julia, you have to teach me how you have the press eating out of your hand like that.”

Julia flipped her dark hair in an exaggerated manner. “Years of terrible photos followed by a mental breakdown and then a return to Hollywood as an aged woman is pretty much the entire trick.”

The table laughed because they all knew that was far from the truth. Julia had always been the belle of every ball and though she had taken a break from the lights, there hadn’t been a mental breakdown. Just a finding of herself and returning as a stronger and more confident woman.

Ellis fit his arm around Julia, pulling her snug against him. “I hear you boys are lucky enough to get to work with this icon of Hollywood glory.”

Aiden nodded as Josh said, “We know we’re not worthy but we humbly attempt to honor the roles we’ve been gifted.” He bowed his head with mock self-abasement.

Julia rolled her eyes, causing Elise to laugh. She loved how lightly Julia took all of this. Each time she hung out in Aiden’s world, she saw how truly rare of a gem Julia was.

“So when are you all moving up to Whisling?” Julia asked Aiden and Josh.

The three of them were about to star in an incredible movie about lost love, adoption, and heartache. Elise didn’t know the whole story since Aiden had signed paperwork that kept his lips sealed regarding project details but she did know the CliffsNotes version of the movie and there was no doubt it was going to be award-winning. Elise would stake her inn on it.

But the best part of it all was that when Julia had been in talks with the studio, she’d let them know the only way she’d produce and star in the movie was if it was filmed on Whisling. So that meant Aiden and Josh had to move to the island for the duration, thrilling Elise to no end.

Long distance with Aiden had been magical. She couldn’t even imagine what having him in her daily life would be like.

“Next week,” Aiden answered Julia, his blue eyes twinkling.

Elise bit her lip, knowing that twinkle was because Aiden was just as ecstatic as Elise to be living in the same place.

Josh nodded. “I’ve already got cleaners at the house getting everything ready for us.”

Elise and Aiden had discussed where he should stay. It didn’t feel quite right for him to move in with Elise, especially because she and Amber shared a tiny two-bedroom cottage and there was no room for more. So they’d briefly considered the inn, but since Josh owned a house on the island, although it was a fifteen-minute drive from Elise’s home, living in a real home instead of an inn’s room seemed the best idea.

“Aiden,” a pleasant voice spoke, causing the entire table to look up.

Everyone except Aiden. He kept his eyes fixed on the table as he swore under his breath, muscles tensed.

Without any instruction from his best friend, Josh stood and stepped between him and the woman who looked like she wanted to join them and their table. It was a feat of brilliance, actually, since the woman hadn’t left much space between herself and Aiden. As Josh moved, Elise quickly recognized the woman as Lolly, Hollywood beauty and ex-girlfriend to Elise’s now boyfriend.

Elise swallowed as Josh spoke. “Lolly.” He put a hand on her shoulder as if to direct her away, but Lolly, small of stature though she was, stood firm.

Elise shifted in unease, and judging by the tight looks on the faces around the table, she wasn’t the only one feeling uncomfortable.

Seemingly careless of the discomfort she was causing, little wily Lolly somehow maneuvered herself so that she was then between Josh and Aiden before saying, “Aiden, don’t you want to introduce me?” Her eyes were trained on Elise.

Aiden looked up, his smile so brittle it looked like it was about to break.

Aiden cleared his throat, obviously debating if he should do as Lolly asked or cause a scene. He seemed to decide that the former would be preferable and begrudgingly said, “Lolly, this is my girlfriend, Elise.”

He slid his arm behind Elise’s shoulders and pulled her, along with her chair, snugly against himself so that there was no space between the two. Elise beamed at Aiden’s display. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind who Aiden was choosing to be with.

With confidence Elise looked up at Lolly, who wasn’t all that much taller than her even though the latter was standing and said, “Nice to meet you.”

Lolly fluttered her lashes, giving Elise the barest of smiles. “I would say the same but Aiden didn’t introduce me to you.”

Elise shared a look with her boyfriend. Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Lolly should say it was nice to meet Elise because Elise had been introduced . . . but Elise figured it was too much of a battle. One she didn’t care to fight.

She’d heard through the tabloids, long before Elise had ever met Aiden, how messy his breakup with Lolly had been. He’d been happy to share with Elise any details she’d wanted about his past but they’d then together decided details about their dating history probably weren’t pertinent enough to their future to go wading through all of the mess.

So Aiden had simply told Elise that Lolly had broken it off with him and that it had hurt. But he’d told it Elise it was more stinging to his pride and ego than to his heart. Elise had no reason to doubt Aiden then, and she wasn’t about to start now.

Besides, if Lolly’s and Aiden’s behavior now was telling Elise anything, it was that Lolly felt remorse at the loss while Aiden seemed to only regret having to see her again.

“But I guess he expects you to know who I am. Considering our extensive and beautiful past.” Her eyes drifted to Aiden, giving him a long and meaningful glance that was clearly intended to be moving.

Elise bit down on both of her lips. Extensive and beautiful past? Elise had dealt with her fair share of bitter exes but this was a new one, even for her.

Unsure of how to react, Elise gave a soft smile with a half shrug of her shoulders.

“And considering our future,” Lolly added, her voice lowering to a sultry note as she swiftly navigated her way to the other side of Elise, taking advantage of the seat Josh had vacated.

This time it was Josh who swore softly for his folly in leaving his seat open. He quickly took the chair on the other side of Lolly, his face saying he was ready to rein her in by any means necessary.

Elise glanced to Aiden to see that he had his full attention on her. He failed to give Lolly even the barest of glances.

“What future?” Josh asked, when it appeared no one else was going to give Lolly the reaction she wanted.

Aiden leaned in close, his lips right against Elise’s ear. She shivered with delight as Lolly glared. “She’s going to say things to try to rile you up,” Aiden whispered, his warm breath tickling her ear.

Elise nodded. She’d figured as much. Again, this wasn’t her first ex-girlfriend of a boyfriend she’d encountered.

“And I’m truly sorry. Because unfortunately she’s really good at it,” Aiden managed before Lolly made a show of turning her entire body toward Josh. She placed a hand on his arm that lay on the table. He quickly pulled his arm away.

“Oh, Joshie. You always were like this,” Lolly said as she tried to swat Josh but he moved once more so that she only hit air.

Elise bit her lip again. This woman was too much. She was almost a caricature of an ex-girlfriend. Like she was playing a part.

But Elise had seen enough of Lolly’s movies to know that her acting on screen wasn’t as good as this.

Lolly pasted on a smile that was somehow even more fake than before, her voice loud and painfully upbeat. “What I meant is that I got the role Charlotte just vacated. So I’ll be joining you all on Whisling.”

Josh groaned as Aiden tensed beside Elise, telling her this was news to both of them.

Seeming pleased by their reactions, Lolly’s fake smile gave way to a vindictive one. She fluttered her eyelashes once more, this time just for Elise. “And you do know what role that is, right?” She winked and then glanced behind Elise at Aiden. “I’ve just been upgraded from Aiden’s girlfriend to his wife.”

Elise felt her stomach drop as Aiden’s body clenched behind her. “From ex -girlfriend to on-screen wife.” Aiden practically growled the words.

“Tomato, tomahto. But the best part will be working with you, Julia.” Lolly turned her attention to the woman who’d watched the entire scene unfold yet hadn’t said a word.

“That’s a Hollywood line if I’ve ever heard one.” Julia stood suddenly, Ellis following suit, and the two walked away.

Elise lifted her jaw that had dropped and fought from clapping at the display. Julia’s was the best version of drama and Elise loved her for it. Elise also loved Julia for having her back.

Lolly flipped her long, luscious blond hair. “I didn’t realize she’s such a jokester.”

“She’s not,” Josh deadpanned.

“Oh, so that was just for me. We already have a thing?” Lolly shimmied.

Who on God’s green earth shimmied these days? The woman was either completely oblivious or . . .

“Why are you still here?” Aiden asked, his voice matching Josh’s. “You already drove Julia away. Are you hoping for an empty table to yourself? Because I’m about two seconds from following Julia’s lead.”

The tiniest hint of a frown flitted over Lolly’s face before she pasted on her smile once more. “I should have known you’d start joking too. I swear I’m the only one who ever gets to see this side of Aiden.”

Aiden shifted, causing Lolly to pop out of her seat. Being abandoned at a table in a room like this one? The news would be in the ear of everyone who was anyone in Hollywood before the event was over.

“Good to see you all. Especially to meet you, Elise. Although I’m guessing I won’t be seeing much more of you. But I will be seeing much more of the two of you.” She pointed to Josh and then her gaze lingered on Aiden before she swished away from the table in a flurry of sequins and platinum locks.

The three were silent for a full minute before Elise decided enough was enough.

“So that’s Lolly, huh?” she asked as she turned to look at Aiden, a delighted smile on her lips.

Tension seemed to fall off of her boyfriend as Aiden took in Elise’s relaxed manner.

“She didn’t get to you?” he asked, his eyes full of hope.

“That act? Even The Haunting was better than that,” Elise said about one of Lolly’s most publicly criticized roles.

Aiden laughed and Josh joined him, the table much happier now that it was the three of them once more.

“I love you,” Aiden whispered as he pulled Elise close.

“I know,” Elise said with all the reassurance in the world.

It would take much more than one unhinged ex for Elise to doubt that. Even if Aiden Christensen was totally out of her league.

Seren closed the door behind the final two revelers and turned to join Deacon in the kitchen. “That’s the last of them,” she said, taking in her now spotless kitchen.

“Deacon,” Seren spoke once more, her breath catching on his name. “The cleaners are coming in tomorrow. There was no need for you to do all of this.”

Deacon peeled off Seren’s dish gloves that were probably a size or two too small for his powerful hands.

“I know. But I also know that you can’t stand going to bed with dishes in the sink so if I hadn’t washed up, you’d have been up half the night. And after a party like that, we all need some good shut eye.”

Deacon smiled and Seren joined him. Who was this man who could help her with building her dream by day and washing her dishes by night?

“Well, thank you.” Seren said the words she didn’t often have to say. Because she usually didn’t let people do kind deeds for her. But with Deacon things had always been different.

“You’re welcome,” Deacon replied. “I’d say the party was a success.”

Seren nodded. If there was one thing she could do, it was throw a good party. With the construction and decorating of her teen cancer center finally complete, she’d wanted to invite all those who’d had a hand in the work over for a nice family meal. She’d plan a gala in a few months’ time for those who’d opened their checkbooks to make this center happen, but tonight had been for those who’d invested their blood, sweat, and tears. From construction workers to nurses, she’d had all kinds of wonderful laborers in her living room.

“Did you notice there were two people who seemed to hit it off?” Seren asked.

She bit her lip as soon as she’d said the words. What was she thinking? This wasn’t the kind of question one asked a man. If Max, her ex, had taught her anything, it was this.

“You mean Amy and Tommy?” Deacon said, his eyes bright with mirth.

“I knew it wasn’t just in my head. They were both so passionate about the project.” Seren smiled as she considered her favorite nurse and the contractor who’d worked right under Deacon. “They’d be perfect for one another, right?”

“Well, I wouldn’t start handing out wedding invites but I’m pretty sure I overhead Tommy ask her out for coffee tomorrow.”

Seren squealed with delight. If there was one thing she loved it was bringing people together.

“How are you feeling?” Deacon asked after they’d sat in companionable quietness, each caught up in their own thoughts.

How was Seren feeling? She’d been so busy in these past couple of weeks—heck, the last several months she’d been absolutely slammed—she’d hardly taken time to think beyond what their project needed next. But now she was here. Everything had been built. Of course there were still a myriad of details to work out with the hospital—would they continue to fund part of the teen center since it was an extension of their services, or would they expect Seren to find donors to back everything, considering it had been all her idea? Thankfully Seren had a few donors on board who were expecting to back the running of the center with very generous donations, but she’d need a whole lot more whether the hospital pitched in or not. Speaking of which, she should wake up early the next morning to call Don, the hospital . . .

“Seren,” Deacon spoke quietly, reminding Seren he’d asked a question.

Oh, right. How was she feeling?

“Good. I mean, great. The party was great.” Seren stuttered over her words.

“The party was great,” Deacon agreed softly as he took a step forward. “But how are you doing?”

Seren swallowed, unable to think with Deacon so close. How could he continue to have this effect on her? Hadn’t she decided there was never going to be a future for the two of them?

As he took another step so he was now just inches away, Seren couldn’t remember why she’d been so foolish.

The man had cleaned her entire kitchen. He’d dropped everything to support her. Why couldn’t things work between them?

“Seren,” His voice was gentle yet insistent.

“I’m okay. Stressed, but in a good way. It means I’m busy. I kind of can’t believe we’re here though. It feels unreal that the center is truly finished. And I’m proud of you.”

Deacon held her gaze.

“Proud of us.”

He nodded. “You did much more for this than I ever could.”

Seren shook her head. She would have been lost without Deacon. She had been lost.

“I came to join you, but don’t forget who was always here. Who had the passion from the beginning? Who wouldn’t let us forget Milo?”

Seren bit her lip. She wasn’t going to cry again.

One tear fell, followed by another.

Okay, so she was going to cry. But she missed her baby boy so much. He was never far from her thoughts and never out of her heart. He’d imprinted on her in a way no one else ever would. Milo was the perfect person in her life. So why had he been taken from her?

The tears were no longer gentle and Seren felt Deacon’s arms around her, letting her fall into his chest, her tears quickly soaking through his shirt. She seemed to be making a habit of this.

After letting her cry for who knew how long, Seren heard Deacon take in a deep breath. “I know it isn’t my place to say this, but you have to know, Seren. He’d be proud of you.”

Seren nodded. She knew this was the case. That belief was one of the few things that got her out of bed in the morning. Sure, she doubted herself sometimes but for the most part she knew it to be true. It should be, considering she lived most of her days trying to be worthy of being called Milo’s mom. Because that title would forever be branded on her, no matter how long he’d been gone from this earth.

But Deacon was wrong about one thing. “It is definitely your place. There’s no one I’d rather hear about Milo from.” Seren didn’t know if it was the intimacy of Deacon holding her for so long or thoughts of Milo that gave her the courage to do so but she couldn’t help it when she lifted her arms around Deacon and held on tight.

Like a raft in a storm, he was her protection. He was her beacon. Only when Deacon was around did she feel like she wasn’t just a shell drifting from task to task, day to day. With Deacon she felt purpose, strength, and worthiness to be a person once more.

Seren drew a shuddering breath as Deacon pulled her in tighter. Part of her warned that she’d regret allowing all of her walls to come down, but in that instant, Seren felt none of the restrictions she’d placed on herself and Deacon. She only felt need.

Need to be seen, need to be heard, need to be loved. And in Deacon was the only place she found her needs met. Not only that, but she wanted to meet his needs as well.

Danger lights flashed somewhere in Seren’s mind but she was beyond caring about those. She adored Deacon. She was pretty sure somewhere along the way she’d fallen in love with Deacon. So why was she holding back?

The only reason she could come up with, when push came to shove, was fear. All of the what ifs. And foremost in her mind was the concern, what if Deacon didn’t reciprocate what she felt? She knew he’d felt something for her once upon a time. But today? She couldn’t be sure.

And yet, thinking about all she’d lost, she wasn’t about to let fear hold her back from the one person she wanted in her life.

“Deacon?” She pulled away from his chest just enough so that she could see his face, her heart picking up its tempo in both excitement and nervousness.

“You’re ready.” She felt his voice as much as heard it. The warmth, the comfort, the adoration. He still wanted her.

Relief and excitement filled Seren as she nodded wordlessly, unable to believe that he understood her so completely. So much for overcoming her fears. When it came to Deacon she had no reason to fear. Deacon was with her every step of the way.

“I’m sure tomorrow I’ll wake up with so many reasons why we shouldn’t do this,” Seren began, a little voice in the back of her mind whispering Max . Her ex was Deacon’s best friend.

“But today I can’t bring myself to care,” Seren continued.

Deacon held her fast. “I never want you to regret this. Regret us.”

Seren nodded. She didn’t want that either. So was this too fast? Yet again, it had taken her months to get here. That seemed slow if anything.

And the grip on her heart began to loosen. She wouldn’t regret Deacon. How could she? She might regret hurting Max. Would Max be hurt? She might feel fear walking into another relationship after her last one had failed her so deeply. But hadn’t Deacon proved he was here for Seren? What more could he do?

Maybe things would change when they were in a relationship. Maybe he wouldn’t love her the way he assumed he would. Maybe she’d end up not being enough for any man. But unless she walked forward she would never know.

“I won’t,” Seren said with pure honesty as she tilted her head to look him straight in the eye.

Deacon’s lips lifted. “Really?” he asked, his voice low with disbelief.

Seren nodded, holding on even tighter.

“I need you in my life,” Seren spoke, no longer letting doubt cloud her mind in the least.

But though her mind was clear, her emotions whirled within her. She still missed Milo and her life before, but it was only now that she realized she could love her past and still want something completely different for her future. Not that she’d ever want a life without Milo, but he was gone. She had to choose what was best for the here and now. And Deacon was the very best.

Deacon shifted and suddenly an eagerness filled Seren’s entire soul as she tilted her face up.

He dipped his head until his lips came within a hairsbreadth of Seren’s. He paused, giving her one last chance to back out.

But Seren wasn’t going to take it. Desire mixed with that eagerness and Seren couldn’t deny Deacon even if the earth fell from beneath them. She closed that tiny distance left between them to show Deacon that she was all in.

And as their lips met Seren encountered a bliss unlike any other, a coming home she hadn’t known she’d been missing.

Deacon’s fingers clenched around Seren’s waist and suddenly Seren was lost. Lost in his touch. Lost to her own longing.

Too soon, Deacon pulled away, the utter perfection of his kiss leaving Seren in a state of euphoria.

“Yeah, I don’t think you will be able to regret that,” Deacon said with the confidence Seren had always loved.

Seren giggled like a teen with her first crush, but that made sense considering that’s exactly how she felt.

And in that moment only one thing was certain. She one hundred percent agreed with Deacon. There was no way that she would ever regret that kiss.