Текст книги "Desperate Chances "

Автор книги: A. Meredith Walters

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Текущая страница: 16 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

I felt Mitch against my back before I opened my eyes. I smiled into my pillow and held myself perfectly still. I didn’t want to move and ruin this perfect, perfect moment.

I could smell him.

I could feel him.

He was everywhere.

My mind flipped backwards to last night and I knew that we had a lot to talk about. But right then I only wanted to lie in bed with him wrapped around me.

Too soon, I felt him begin to stir. The first indication was the very hard appendage digging into my backside.

Ever so slightly I parted my legs and lifted my hips, letting him slide against me. I was already wet and hot and ready.

“Gracie,” he whispered into my hair, his arms holding me tight.

Then lazily, still half asleep, he slipped inside of me again where he had been all night long.

Our hips moved languidly together. His breath hot on the back of my neck as he slid in and out of my body. His hand cupped my breast and his teeth bit down on my shoulder as I cried out softly.

“Gracie,” he murmured again and I smiled. I never wanted to lose this sensation. This incredible fullness in my heart.

Our movements became jerky as Mitch thrust deeper. And right before he came, he pulled out and sat up, grabbing a wad of tissues from the bedside table so he could finish the job.

I rolled over and watched him clean himself up. He stood up, completely naked, and dropped the tissues in the wastebasket.

“Is Vivian here? I don’t want to pull a Cole and walk around in my birthday suit if we’re not alone,” Mitch smirked. I bit down on my lip and shook my head, appreciating the view.

He came back over to the side of the bed and leaned down, kissing me long and hard on the mouth. “I’ll be right back,” he said softly.

After Mitch was gone I sat up in bed, pulling the blankets up over my chest. I was deliciously sore between my legs. Muscles I hadn’t known that I possessed were achy and tired.

Mitch and I had only slept for a few hours, neither of us wanting to interrupt our time together with sleep. We had stayed up into the early hours, laughing, talking, and making love until we couldn’t keep our eyes open.

But now it was morning. And all the unanswered questions that neither of us had wanted to answer last night were staring us in the face.

“Here you go. Milk and sugar, just how you like it,” Mitch said, reappearing with a cup of coffee and a plate full of cookies.

I raised my eyebrows at the sight of the sweets. He shrugged. “You need to go grocery shopping, babe. There’s nothing in your cabinets but Saltine crackers and these. So cookies for breakfast, it is.”

He got back into bed and handed me a cookie. I ate it happily, not caring about the calories or whether I should be eating junk food for breakfast. The only Gracie would have starved herself for days to make up for this one slip up. Not the new Gracie. She licked her fingers and enjoyed every delicious bite. I took a sip of coffee that was a little too strong with not enough milk. Oh well, Mitch couldn’t be perfect in everything he did.

Though his coffee making skills were going to have to be addressed.

I snuggled up against his side when I was finished. He put an arm around me, holding me tightly.

“You’re still here,” he said shyly.

I propped my chin on my chest as I looked up at him. “Were you expecting me to run?”

Mitch’s eyes were troubled, the fear still there. The worry that this was only temporary. That I would leave again and we’d be thrust back into that horrible place we had lived in for the last year.

“I hoped you wouldn’t,” he said after a while.

I ran my hand through his hair, wishing I could turn back time and take back all the things I had done to hurt him. My callousness. My selfishness.

“I’m not going anywhere, Mitch. As long as you want me, I’m here. But I have so many issues, so much baggage. I’ll understand if you can’t deal with it. Most days I can’t deal with it—”

Mitch cut me off with a kiss. Rough and real.

“Just stop. Don’t say it. I won’t let you put a question mark on this. On us. You may be a mess, but you’re my mess.” I rolled my eyes and snorted.

“Did you really just say that?”

Mitch chuckled. “Damn straight! And I mean it. I love you. I love everything about you. I love your mess and your chaos. I love your ups and I love your downs. And you should know that I wouldn’t jump ship when things get tough. I’ll be here until the bitter end. If you let me, that is.”

There it was again. The fear. Would it always be there? Would he ever be able to trust me not to leave?

But I had done this. So I would have to work to make it better.

And I knew I was up for the challenge.

Because Mitch was worth it.

“I can’t undo what’s already been done. I wish that I could, but I can’t. But I can promise to do everything I can to regain your trust. In me. In us. In what I feel for you.” I kissed his chin and laid my cheek on his chest. “I won’t screw this up again.”

“I’ll hold you to it,” Mitch said lightly, and I could feel his laughter vibrate through me.

We were quiet for a while; my coffee growing cold, but I didn’t care.

“What happened with Sophie?” I asked softly. Maybe I should let it go. Did it really matter? They weren’t together anymore and he was here with me.

But I wanted to know. I couldn’t help it.

“You made me think the other night. After I brought you home from the botanical gardens. At first I was pissed because how dare you give me shit for being wishy washy.” He gave me a squeeze and I grimaced.

“I guess I was the queen of wishy washy,” I admitted.

“You were. But I’ve been pretty bad about it too. So after I left here, I went to Jordan’s. He’s a mouthy bastard, but he’s pretty good at calling me on my bullshit. We talked. He told me about Maysie being pregnant. And he helped me sort through the mess in my head. Sometimes, even when you know the answer, it helps having someone else point it out for you,” he said, his fingers tracing circles on my back.

“I’m glad the mouthy bastard was able to help you see straight,” I chuckled.

“I’ll make sure to tell him you said that,” Mitch snickered. “Anyway, after getting sage advice from Mr. Levitt, I went to Sophie’s. She got pissed. Called me a selfish ass, then she threw me out of her house.”

“Crap,” I muttered.

Mitch sighed. “I shouldn’t have expected anything less. What I did to her was wrong. I led her on. I was a total dick and I deserved everything she threw at me.”

“She’ll be okay, right?” I asked. Even though I wasn’t a fan of Sophie, as one woman to another, I felt bad for her. I didn’t want my happiness to come at the price of someone else’s pain.

Mitch kissed the top of my head. “I hurt her. We were together a long time. But I’m pretty sure that once the dust settles she’ll see it was the best thing for her. We weren’t in love. We never had been. We went into our relationship for the wrong reasons. Sophie wanted an ideal that didn’t exist, and I wanted to try to forget about you. Neither was possible.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. It was inadequate but it was all I could say.

Mitch rolled me over so that I was underneath him. He framed my face in his hands and looked down at me, his brow furrowed. “Don’t be sorry, Gracie. What happened with Sophie is on me. Only me. She’s a sweet girl. She helped me through a difficult time, but she wasn’t what my heart wanted.”

I turned my head to the side to avoid his eyes. Sometimes his gaze was too much. Too intense. “I don’t like starting something on top of a pile of wreckage.”

“Look at me, G,” Mitch commanded softly.

When I didn’t comply right away, he gently gripped my chin between his fingers and turned my head so that I was forced to look at him.

“We’ve never had things easy, you and me. But the best things in life aren’t easy. And I’ve spent too long not fighting for this. For us. I won’t make that mistake again. We have to learn from what happened and move on. Together. Because that’s the only way either of us will be happy. And you know it. I can’t pretend anymore, and neither can you.”

“I know,” I sighed.

“I hate that Sophie was caught in the middle of it all. But that’s on me. I should never have tried to force my heart to love anyone but you. It’s impossible. I knew it, but I was a stubborn ass.”

“You said it, not me,” I remarked tartly.

Mitch reached down and lightly pinched my thigh and I yelped. Then he rubbed the skin with his hand. “I love you, Gracie Evelyn Cook. I told you once that you were everything, and you are. You. Are. My. Everything.”

“But what about all of my issues? What if I mess up again?” I was feeling a little panicky.

Mitch was putting so much faith in me. I couldn’t help but be terrified that I would never be able to live up to the expectations. I had crashed and burned once, what’s to say I wouldn’t do it again?

“Then we’ll deal with it, Gracie. I don’t expect you to be anything but yourself. You’re a little loud, sometimes flaky, mildly crazy—”

“Is there a compliment in there somewhere?” I muttered.

Mitch smiled. “And you’re the smartest person I have ever met. You’re motivated, and hard working, and determined. You are loyal, and kind, and you have the biggest heart.”

“That’s better,” I laughed, my heart fluttering.

“And I love you. I love you. I love you. I will say those words every day for the rest of my life, if you’ll let me. So please let me love you the way I want to. The way we both deserve.”

Cue the water works.

It seemed that I had been doing a lot of crying lately. But they were the best kind of tears. The ones that didn’t hurt.

“Only if you let me share your Chunky Monkey,” I smirked.

Mitch kissed me again. I would never get tired of the feel of his mouth on mine. “You can have the whole damn container. I’ll buy you all the Chunky Monkey that I can find, and I won’t even try to share it. It’s yours, baby. All of it. All of me. Everything.”

“I love you, Mitch. More than anything.”

“I’ve been waiting for years to hear you say that,” he said, his eyes twinkling.

“I love you,” I repeated.

“Say it again,” he demanded.

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.”

We were both crying, and when he reached for me I fell.

All over again.

“So this is Generation Rejects’ last gig,” Gracie said, sounding sad.

I hauled my bass up onto the makeshift stage at Barton’s. Jordan and Cole were setting up the amps and Garrett was tuning his guitar.

The crowd was huge. The largest we had played in front of in a long time.

It was fitting. Because this show was the last one.

It only made sense to go out with a bang in the place where it all began.

“Yeah, it is. And it’s going to be the best damn show we’ve ever had,” I said with confidence, leaning down and kissing her soundly on the mouth.

There was the loud round of cheering.

“Well it’s about fucking time!” Cole yelled from across the stage.

“Gracie! Oh my god! You and Mitch, really?” Vivian shrieked, running to my girl’s side.

My girl.

Mine.

It would take some time to believe that after everything we had been through, Gracie and I were finally together.

Together.

It was my new favorite word.

Gracie rolled her eyes, and I smirked. “I’ll let you share the news,” I told her and she stuck her tongue out.

I leaned down and kissed her again. Then again just because I could.

“You need to talk to me right now!” Vivian declared, tugging on Gracie’s arm. We broke apart, grinning at each other like the crazy fools that we were.

“Sheesh, Viv, give the girl a break. Can’t you see she’s having her tonsils cleaned?” Riley interjected. She had flown in just that morning, not wanting to miss our last concert. She was going on very little sleep and was obviously feeling punchy.

“Well, you need to spill! I can’t believe you didn’t call to tell me!” Vivian pouted.

Maysie looped her arm through Riley and Gracie’s. “Come on, let’s go have some girl talk.”

Gracie looked back at me, blowing me a kiss. I made a show of catching it because I was a dork like that. She laughed and shook her head. I didn’t care that I looked like the world’s biggest tool.

Because Gracie Cook loved me.

“So you and Gracie, huh?” Garrett asked, glancing up from his guitar.

“Yep.” I sat down on the edge of the stage and tuned my own instrument.

“Cool,” was all he said. He was a man of few words. Four letters was all Garrett required to let me know that he was pleased.

“You guys ready?” Moore asked. “The line is all the way around the block. The guys at the door are already turning people away. We haven’t had a crowd like this in months! When can I get you guys back?”

Jordan, Cole, Garrett, and I all exchanged looks.

Time to drop the bombshell. Better now than later.

“This is the Rejects’ final show. At least for a while,” Jordan said, grabbing his drumsticks and sitting behind his kit.

“What?” Moore looked horrified and that was heartening. It was nice to know that we would be missed. “Your last show? Tell me it ain’t so!”

Cole clasped the older man’s shoulder. “I’m afraid so, my man. But I’ll be happy to jump in and play a solo show anytime.”

Garrett and I rolled our eyes.

“I wish that you had told me earlier. I could have charged a lot more at the door,” Moore complained before walking off, clearly annoyed by the loss of potential earnings.

Garrett got to his feet and slung his guitar strap around his neck. “You guys ready for this?”

I looked out at the crowd, finding Gracie standing at the front with Maysie, Riley, and Vivian.

“I don’t know. Are we?” I asked, feeling the weight of what we were about to do.

Cole punched me in the gut, and I let out a groan, doubling over. “What the fuck, man?” I yelled, standing back up.

“You get a little G pussy and now you’re a bitch. This doesn’t mean we’ll never play together again. Get a grip. Now let’s put on the best damn show these assholes have ever seen!” Cole said, pumping his fist in the air.

“He’s got a point. Generation Rejects will never be dead,” Jordan added, tapping out a quick beat.

“Nope. Never,” Garrett agreed.

I looked at the guys who were my brothers, and knew they were right.

“Generation Rejects forever!” I yelled. Cole, Garrett, and Jordan all groaned.

“Seriously, shut the hell up. You’re such a fucking dork,” Cole muttered, walking to the center of the stage.

I laughed, not taking his insult personally.

We took our places for the last time—well the last time for now—and we faced the crowd who had come out to see us play.

The lights dimmed. That was our cue.

Cole brought the mic up to his mouth and looked down at his adoring public. “We’re baaaackkkk,” he drawled out.

There was a cacophony of noise as the screams and cheers began. It was a heady feeling. One, I could admit, that I’d miss.

I looked down at Gracie, her eyes only for me, and I knew that I may be losing this, but I was gaining something so much more.

“So I know you guys are here to see a kickass show,” Cole began, followed by more cheers. “But we’ve got something that we need to share with you all first.”

Cole looked back at the rest of us before continuing. “A bunch of years ago we started Generation Rejects. We were four fuck-ups who wanted to play some music. We sucked.”

There was a general sense of disagreement at that statement. I appreciated the crowd’s loyalty. But what Cole said was right. We had definitely sucked.

“We did, it’s okay guys. We’re pretty fucking awesome now, right?” The roar was deafening.

“Alright, settle down, I have a story to tell.” The crowd quieted down and Cole continued. “So when we became fucking awesome, we signed with a label. We went on the road and tried to take over the world. But sometimes things don’t turn out the way we want them to.”

The room became totally quiet. Everyone was waiting to hear what Cole would say next. Looking out at the faces of the audience, they knew whatever he was going to say, wasn’t going to be good.

“Barton’s Bar and Grill will always be special to us. Moore took a chance on a bunch of punk ass bitches that thought they could play. He let us put on a show. And it went from there. So thanks for that, Moore. You rock, buddy!” Moore put his thumbs up from behind the bar, where he was helping Dina tend to customers.

“So, we started here.” Cole took a deep breath. “And we’re ending here. Tonight.” The noise from the crowd was instantaneous. Murmurs became shouts. What was he talking about? What was going on?

“We love the music and we love the band, but it’s time to do other things. Life happens. Our man Piper is gonna be a dad.” Cue the sighs from the female contingent.

“Our man Garrett is moving to Boston with his lady.” Whoops followed.

“And good ol’ Mitchie boy finally got the girl. Way to go man!”

Gracie flushed red and hid her face behind her hands. I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt.

“As for me, well I’m still planning to go out there and fuck the stage. So be ready for a whole new level of Cole Brandt!” The screams started up again The man really did know how to work a crowd.

“But before that, I’ve been wanting to do something.” Garrett and I shared a look. What was he doing?

I watched as Cole reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.

What the actual fuck?

“Guys, seriously shut the fuck up. I’ve got something important to say.” Our front man took a deep breath and for the first time since I’d known him he looked nervous. Like he was going to throw up all over the stage. But then he pulled himself together and flashed his cocky grin.

“I’ve been thinking it’s time to make my girl an honest woman. What do y’all think?” Cole looked down at Vivian and held out his hand. She looked shell shocked as she let him lift her up onto the stage.

Then in front of the crowd, Cole Brandt dropped to one knee. He plucked the diamond ring from the box and held it out for Vivian.

“What do you say? Vivian Baily, will you mar—” he asked her.

Vivian didn’t even wait for the words. She snatched the ring and shoved it on her finger, holding it up for everyone to see.

“Is that a yes?” Cole laughed.

“That’s a hell yes!” Vivian shrieked, launching herself at him.

Everyone started clapping, and Garrett immediately began to play the opening chords to our song Donkey Punch. Interesting song selection but given Cole and Vivian, it was pretty appropriate.

“Guys, we have a show to play,” I said into my mic, earning some laughter from the audience.

The lovebirds pulled apart and Vivian climbed off the stage. Cole touched his mouth for a minute, his eyes glazed over but happier than I had ever seen him before.

Cole Brandt was gettin’ hitched. Stranger things had happened.

I walked over to our front man and patted him on the back. “Congrats, man,” I said.

“Thanks,” he replied with a smirk. “She’s gonna be a fucking tigress tonight. I can’t wait!”

I shook my head and went back to my spot, adding rhythm to Garrett’s melody.

“Let’s get this party started!” Cole shouted and the audience roared.

And for the last time we were four guys, playing our music.

Tomorrow we’d be something else.

But for now, we were Generation Rejects.

Six Months Later

The sun was hot on my shoulders as I walked down the makeshift aisle, a small bouquet of flowers in my hand. The air was perfumed with roses and hyacinths. I could hear the rippling of the stream fifty meters away.

And the squeal of guitar strings filled the air, followed by an ear-splitting scream of Jordan’s favorite heavy metal band.

“Oh my god, seriously? This is a wedding, not a concert!” Vivian grumped once she, Riley, and I were all stood in a line.

Riley shrugged. “It wouldn’t be a Rejects wedding without melt your face off rock and roll.”

I snorted. “You should do this at your wedding, Viv.” My friend gave me a death glare and repositioned her hands so that she providing her engagement ring with ample exposure. It glinted in the sun, nearly blinding me.

“Mine will be a very tasteful affair. White lace and linens. Three course meal, champagne fountain. The whole nine yards,” Vivian sniffed, looking across the aisle and smiling at her fiancé who stood with Garrett and Mitch behind Jordan.

“I think this is awesome,” I said, looking at the small grouping of people that had gathered in the meadow behind Garrett’s house for Maysie and Jordan’s wedding.

“It is, you’re right,” Vivian agreed. “It’s perfect for Jordan and Maysie.”

The rock music came to a stop and the familiar strains of Pachelbel’s Canon replaced it.

Jordan looked like he was going to burst. But in a good way. And then his face split into an enormous grin as he watched the love of his life make her way down the aisle, holding onto her father’s arm.

“She looks beautiful,” Riley said softly as our best friend seemed to float towards us. Maysie was radiant in a simple white dress that fell to the ground in straight, elegant lines. The material stretched over her very prominent belly and she wore a ring of flowers in her hair.

I sniffled and discreetly wiped away my tears.

“Here,” Vivian whispered, handing me a tissue.

I glanced over at Mitch and wasn’t surprised to find him watching me. His eyes were soft and filled with so much love. And it was all for me.

One day, I knew that this was going to be us. I would be in white and he would be waiting for me at the end of an aisle with a smile on his face.

We’d have the white picket fence with the dog and the kids.

There wasn’t any question.

Our future was an absolute.

Maysie finally reached Jordan, and her dad gave her a kiss on the cheek. I was glad that he and Maysie’s mother had come. They had warmed considerably when they learned they were going to be grandparents. I hoped, for Maysie’s sake, that they learned how to be decent parents and grandparents.

Jordan, not standing on tradition, took Maysie’s hands and pulled her close. Then he kissed her. Long. Hard. Maybe a little inappropriate for the occasion. I was pretty sure I saw some tongue.

There were a lot of catcalls from our friends and family and finally the minister cleared his throat. “We haven’t gotten to that part yet,” he said with an indulgent smile at the couple.

Jordan pulled away and suddenly dropped to his knees, his hands on Maysie’s stomach. “I love you and your mom so much. I’ll be the best husband and daddy I can possibly be,” he said tenderly, kissing her belly before rising to his feet again.

After that, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I gave up on trying to hold in my tears and blubbered with the rest of them.

I met Mitch’s eyes again and saw that his too were wet.

“I love you,” he mouthed.

I placed my hand over my heart and smiled. Mitch knew. My heart was his.

I watched my best friends get married and it was bittersweet. Because this weekend, after Maysie’s wedding, Mitch and I were leaving Bakersville, Virginia and were moving half way across the country.

I had gotten a job as a content writer for a fashion magazine based in Houston, Texas. Mitch and I had flown there last month and found a small apartment in the ’burbs. Mitch had secured a few interviews with guitar manufacturers and custom shops for next week. Everything had fallen into place with an ease that surprised me.

When I had brought up the possibility of leaving Bakersville, Mitch hadn’t hesitated for a minute.

“Where you go, I go. If you want to move to the fucking moon, I’ll follow you happily. We’re on this road together, Gracie. You and me. Always.”

After the reception we had to head back to my apartment and finish packing. Then we had to load the U-Haul so that we could leave in the morning.

We were leaving. It was our next chapter.

One that we were writing together.

After the minister pronounced Jordan and Maysie man and wife there was a loud cheer and everyone was on their feet, rushing towards the newly married couple.

There were a lot of tears and even more laughter.

This was the last time all of us would be together for a while. Not until Vivian and Cole’s wedding in a few months.

We were scattering in all directions. But the eight of us would always be connected.

Maysie, Vivian, Riley, and me wrapped our arms around each other while the guys punched each other, or whatever they did as a way of saying congratulations.

“You did it, Mays,” I said through my tears.

“We all did it,” Maysie sniffled.

“Who would have thought we’d all end up here?” Vivian mused.

“I’m just glad that we ended up here together,” Riley said. Maysie kissed her cheek, leaving behind a smear of lipstick.

“I love you girls,” Maysie murmured.

“We love you too.” I reached out put a hand on her belly. “And I, for one, can’t wait to spoil this little girl rotten.”

Maysie gave me a wobbly smile. “You’ll be the best auntie ever.”

“Okay ladies. I’m stealing my wife now.” Jordan broke up the lovefest and pulled Maysie away.

People instantly swarmed them. Jordan’s parents spoke with Maysie’s mom and dad. Moore hugged Maysie and Paco slapped Jordan’s ass. Dina was snotting away and Jaz put a comforting arm around her shoulders. I saw Eli approach Maysie and Jordan, offering congratulations. Maysie gave him a hug and Jordan shook his hand.

Oh, how times had changed.

“You look beautiful.” Mitch’s arm slid around my waist and I felt his warm breath on my cheek.

“I don’t know whether to be overjoyed or completely depressed,” I told him honestly, leaning my head against his shoulder. His hand softly rubbed my back in long, even strokes.

“I’m happy for Maysie and Jordan. I’m happy for Riley and Garrett. And Vivian and Cole. But I’m sad too. Because we’re all splitting up,” I sighed and wiped my eyes again. Stupid tears.

Mitch kissed the top of my head and started to lead me towards the house. I could see caterers setting up tables and chairs in the yard. Large speakers were being brought out of the house and were now playing a compilation of Generation Rejects’ songs.

“I think you can feel both, G. You can be happy for everyone, but you can be sad too. Change is hard. Growing up is even harder. But just because we won’t all be together doesn’t mean we will lose that connection. It’ll always be there.”

The music changed and a familiar Rejects’ tune pumped out of the speakers. Mitch hummed under his breath and I looked up at him, noting the wistful expression on his face.

“Do you ever wonder if you guys made the right decision? Do you regret it?”

Mitch’s face softened and he leaned down to kiss me gently. “No. I don’t regret it for a second. Music will always be a part of my life. I miss playing with the guys, but I don’t miss the drama and being on the road.” He kissed me gently. “Or being away from you. That was always the worst part.”

“Well you’re stuck with me now,” I teased.

“And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Then we were really kissing. The sort of kissing that makes breathing difficult and knees wobbly.

“Stop chewing her face off, Mitch.”

We broke apart to find his sister, Charlotte, holding her little girl in her arms. She gave us a knowing smile and I flushed a bit in embarrassment.

“Hey, sis, thanks for cock blocking me. We should make you a T-shirt that says Bad Timing,” Mitch muttered.

“You’re so incredibly charming. How do you handle his sparkling personality all the time, Gracie?” Charlotte snickered and I laughed at their squabbling.

I held out my arms. “Let me have some Maddy cuddles,” I cooed, taking the sweet little girl into my arms. I balanced her on my hip and grinned when the toddler started playing with my necklace. I didn’t bat an eyelash when she put the charm in her mouth and started sucking.

“You do that really well, Gracie. If you two need any practice before you start popping out kids of your own, I rent Maddy out by the hour,” Charlotte offered.

“We’ll take you up on that when you come down to Houston for a visit,” I said and Mitch groaned.

“You invited my sister to visit? Without asking me first?” he complained without a hint of maliciousness.

Charlotte kissed his cheek and ruffled his hair. Mitch swatted her hand away but gave her a big grin. I loved their dynamic. And I appreciated how effortlessly his family had always accepted me.

I had been nervous after we got together. I worried that they would think less of me considering how quickly we started dating on the heels of his relationship with Sophie. But Mrs. Abrams had invited me into her home, made me homemade lasagna, and told me how glad she was to see her son so happy.

Their warmth made my parents’ ongoing chill easier to tolerate. My father was trying, but Mom still had a long way to go before she became mother of the year. When I told them that Mitch and I were moving to Houston, she had refused to speak to me for weeks. She was only now coming around.

Hopefully some distance would do wonders for our relationship. Twelve hundred miles between us may be exactly what we needed.

“Let me have the rugrat back and the two of you need to go be social. Mom is over there fussing over Maysie, so you may want to intervene soon,” Charlotte suggested.

“Will do, sis,” Mitch said.

I reluctantly handed Maddy back to her mom.

Once we were alone again, Mitch gave me a sweet smile. “You were awfully comfortable with my niece in your arms, weren’t you?”

“I like kids,” I shrugged.

“I think I would especially like kids that look a little like you and a little like me,” Mitch said softly into my ear.

I smacked his chest lightly. “One thing at a time, buddy.” But I couldn’t help feeling warm all over.

“Mitch! Gracie! Come on!” Vivian yelled, waving us over.

“I love you, Gracie,” Mitch said.

“I love you, Mitch.”

We held each other for a moment before joining our friends.

We had come a long way to get to this point.

We had gone from friends to enemies. From lovers to nothing at all.

But most importantly, we had always been Mitch and Gracie.

Gracie and Mitch.

And together we were sort of perfect.

“When I say Chunky Monkey, we’re out of here,” Mitch said with a smile.

“And I’ll ride to your rescue,” I promised.

Mitch’s eyes were full of love as he held me close.

This was our chance. The one we had been waiting years for. And we were determined to do it right.

Mitch kissed the corner of my mouth, his lips lingering.

“You already have.”

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