Page 225 of This Bitter Sweet Temptation
If only he could see us now…
If only he could know how much he’s loved.
Right now, I can’t imagine being happier than I am with Holden.
“It’s like he’s still here,” I say softly.
“Yeah. If he were, I know he’d be proud of you.” Holden wraps his arms around my waist, his lips gentle against my neck.
Smiling, I rest my hand on his arms, letting myself sink back against his wall of strength.
It’s been such a long, joyful day, and I have the perfect buzz fizzing in my veins.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I whisper.
He turns me, tilting my head up for a kiss. “Exactly what you’re doing now, Clee. Killing it with your heart. Making Kit laugh when you’re parked in front of a bad horror movie and painting away. Suffering another old fool. Who the hell knows why.”
“You’re not ancient yet.But I’m grateful. I get to be by your side for everything. Can’t believe my luck sometimes.” I grin and slap at his chest.
“You mean you’re not intimidated by a successful woman?” I tease.
“You kidding? If I could learn to sit still, you’d make a house husband out of me. Still might one day. Regardless, I’ll gladly cook for you all day, every day.”
“Deal!” I reach up to press my nose against his.
He’s kidding, of course, but his words are sincere.
He’s not afraid of my success, my dreams, or the challenge that comes with piecing our lives together. We don’t need to find our purpose when we can make one from the ground up.
With laughter, tears, or just ripping out our hair, we’ll work it out. We have the rest of our lives.
“You should drink more water. No need to risk dehydration,” he tells me, already offering a bottle he’s barely taken a drink from. “The car’s coming for us soon.”
“Yes, yes, theprivateplane. I still can’t get used to that.”
“Honeymoon perks,” he says, amused. “How much water have you had?”
“Enough. Come along, Mr. Verity.” I grab his tie and pull him out of the room, but I don’t miss the endearing way he looks around one more time before giving in with a low chuckle.
He might act like he doesn’t feel Gramps’ ghost the way I do or that PopPop couldn’t have possibly planned this, but I know he’s just as grateful. And just as sad that he’s gone.
Sometimes in life, two things can be true.
You can make a cherished hello out of a bitter goodbye.
And we fight through the crowd one more time, making our goodbyes quick. Kit’s yawning as she tumbles along after us.
She’s out like a light before we even get to the airport.
Holden and I share a smile.
She’s coming with us on our honeymoon, of course. Thankfully the villa we found has separate rooms.
But she’s part of our lives, and I wouldn’t dream of leaving her behind. I want her to feel like she’s part of our brave new world.
“You think she’s excited?” I ask Holden, squeezing his hand.
“Give her a few hours of shut-eye. By the time we land, she’ll be dragging us to the beach.”
