Page 90 of Daisy Chain
By now, everyone has left the church, except for Kade, who’s still sitting in the last row, looking uncomfortable and out of place. As soon as he sees me, he rises to his feet. And that’s when I notice he’s not dressed in his usual black.
A white buttoned shirt opened at the throat is stretched over his broad shoulders and tucked into a pair of navy pants.
“Kade?”
“Hey, Daisy Chain.” My nickname in his deep voice washes over me, warming me like the summer sun. Two nights without him have been torture.
“What are you doing here?”
“I needed to talk to you.” He scans the church, looking uncomfortable. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“Yes, through here.” I lead him on shaky legs to a room attached to the church where my father likes to get ready for service and go through his sermon.
The room is small, with a tiny, colorful stained-glass window high up on the wall. In this tiny room, Kade’s huge presence takes up the space.
“Why are you here?” I ask.
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
Oh, God. Is he about to end things with me? I can feel the cracks in my heart forming. “What is it?”
“All my life, I was led to believe I wasn’t worthy of anything. Not worthy of a family, a career, friends… love. When you’re constantly reminded of it, it doesn’t take long to believe it. But you, Daisy, have opened my eyes… heart. You have shown me that I am worthy of those things. That I deserve them. People inmy life love me for who I am. And I have to stop believing that I can’t return their love.” My body trembles. “I’m here to tell you that I’ve lied to you.”
I frown. “About what?”
“I told you I can’t do relationships. But with you, I want one. I want a future with you.”
I touch my fingertips to my trembling lips. “What?” My heart pounds against my ribs. Kade, the man who told me he never does relationships, is standing here talking about wanting a future with me. Happiness explodes inside me, making me a little dizzy.
He takes a deep, shuddery breath and cups my face in his hands. “Before you, my life was empty. I filled it with work so I wouldn’t have to feel anything. The day I met you is the day I came to life. Feelings I didn’t understand poured through me. You showed me what they meant. Daisy Barlowe, you’re the best part of me. I love you. I love you so much. I may not know how relationships work, but I promise every day, I’ll do everything I can to make you happy and protect your heart.”
Hot tears run down my face, and he swipes them away with his thumbs. My throat is too clogged up with emotion to speak, so I cup his face like he’s cupping mine and pull him down to me to kiss. I pour all my love into it. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he kisses me back with so much passion.
When we break away, my chest heaves as I catch my breath. I’ve never felt so happy in my life. To think, I was ready for my heart to shatter. “Kade, I love you too. I know my heart is safe with you.”
He breathes out a relieved breath. “God, I was so scared you mightn’t feel the same.”
This big, tough man was scared? His vulnerability squeezes my heart. “I love you, Kade Sullivan. Always. I was on my way to tell you.”
“You were?”
I nod.
“Great minds.” He smiles, and it zaps through my chest.
“I love you so much, Kade.” I need to pinch myself in case I’m dreaming.
He rests his forehead on mine. “I love hearing those words from you.”
“I love hearing those words too.”
“I’m going to tell you every day for the rest of our lives. You’re gonna get sick of hearing it.” He smiles, and boy, I feel it all the way down to my toes.
“I’ll never get sick of hearing it.”
I press my hands to his chest and run them up to hook behind his neck. “You look good in these clothes. I didn’t know you owned anything that isn’t black.” I giggle.
“I don’t. I borrowed them from Evan. I thought these were more church-appropriate than my gear.” His nose screws up like he hates the shirt and pants.
