Page 218 of Fighting Chance

“I don’t want to hide that I love you,” he says suddenly.

At the gravity of his tone, I turn to him now, finding that I’m unable to look away.

“I don’t want to hide how much I care for you from Emmy, but I’m also terrified that I’m going to fully embrace you into both of our lives and hearts, only for you to leave one day.”

Kieran lays it all bare, fear etched across his face. It sucker punchers me.

“When I said I love you, Kieran, I meant it. I cannot fathom walking away, not from you and certainly not from that little girl.”

“What if I fuck it up, though?”

I decide to lead with honesty, because Kieran deserves that much, especially when he’s holding his heart out to me. “The only thing I’m concerned about is your commitment to me.” At his frown, I plow forward. “I think a part of me is still scared about dragging you into the mess of my health. I, um…haven’t been that transparent about how I’ve been feeling recently.”

Kieran’s lips twitch. “I know.”

“You know?” I ask dubiously.

“Not sure if you’ve noticed but I’m very good at reading people.”

I push his shoulder playfully. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I wanted you to come to me. I didn’t want to push you on this.”

“Well, I’ve been feeling more lethargic than I usually am. They’ve run a lot of tests, and as per usual, no one can tell me what’s wrong.” My bottom lip trembles. “And I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared I’m seriously relapsing. You have so much going on in your life, I don’t want to drop my problems in your lap on top of that.”

“But I want you to, Layla. I don’t think you’re aware of how much I love you. It’s practically an obsession.”

I snort.

“I’m serious. You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep. I constantly wonder about what will make you happy and how I can show you how much I care.” As he runs his fingers through his hair, the tattoos along his forearms ripple with the muscle beneath it. “I’ve never opened up to someone like I have to you. It terrifies me how much I love you.”

“It does?” I breathe.

“I have nightmares that you’ll wake up one day and realize I’m nothing special and leave.”

“That won’t happen,” I promise.

Swallowing thickly, he whispers, “What if it does, though? What if we show Emmy how beautiful love can be, only for it to implode in our faces down the line?”

“I don’t think that will happen.”

“You sound sure of yourself.”

“No, I’m just sure about you,” I say honestly. “You’re too stubborn to let it fail.”

Kieran’s head falls back on a deep belly laugh. It’s so contagious I have to join him. “That, sunshine, is very true.”

Reaching over, I run my fingers through his hair toward the nape of his neck, my thumb brushing along his smooth skin. “I see you, Kieran. I see the gold in your heart, the kindness in your words, the humor in your personality, and even your strength through the struggles life handed you. I see it all, and I love every inch of it. I don’t plan to go anywhere anytime soon.” Giving him a watery smile, I savor the love pouring from his eyes as I whisper honestly, “It would crush me to walk away from you.”

Kieran doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to, not as he leans forward, clasping my jaw and capturing my lips, pouring everything into it with such passion it makes my heart skip a beat.

Resting his forehead against mine he rips his lips away as he heaves, “I love you so much it’s hard to breathe sometimes.”

Smiling to myself I lean forward and place another gentle kiss against his lips. He pulls back, though he doesn’t let go of hisgentle hold on my cheeks, his thumbs rubbing back and forth. “You’re making me the happiest man on earth.”

Quirking my brow, I tease, “You have to ask me first.”

Standing suddenly, Kieran steps down on the grass, his eyes dancing with mischief, and I’m unsure as to why until he drops to one knee.