Page 240 of Fighting Chance

“None biologically, you mean? Of course. Whoever I adopt will be my child though, and hopefully if you love me enough, ours.” His thumbs rub back and forth on my cheeks, wiping away my tears. “I want to do this with you, Layla. No one else.”

“Are you sure?”

My heart couldn’t take it if he said all this only to change his mind. I’ve been driving myself mad, having to let go of the dream I had and Kieran’s, too. That is what devastated me the most through all of this.

Kieran deserves to create and build the life he was never given as a child, and the knowledge that I couldn’t give him that? It crushed me, utterly devastated me. So to be standing here, listening to Kieran lay his heart on the line for me, offering the very future I thought was taken from me, makes me begin to hope again.

“Am I sure? Sunshine, I’m prepared to get on my hands and knees and beg you.”

“What if I relapse again?”

“Then I’ll take care of you.”

“You say it like it’s simple.”

“Because it is. I love you so much, Layla, I’d do anything for you. I just want to spend the rest of my life loving you. That’s my one wish.” Kieran kisses me and it’s so passionate, my head begins to spin. “Please, let me love you,” he whispers.

I don’t have to think for even a second.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

Kieran smiles, a lone tear rolling down his cheek. Lifting up on my tiptoes, I wipe the tear away and chuckle. “Is there a reason you brought me out into the middle of the woods to have this conversation? You weren’t going to kidnap me if I said no, were you?”

He winks. “You’ll never know, but something tells me your little dark romance mind wouldn’t have cared if I did.”

“Ifyoudid, no. Anyone else? I’d be terrified.”

“Good to know stranger danger is still instilled within you.”

Snorting to myself, I cock my hip. “But seriously, why are we out here?”

Kieran just smiles. “Why don’t you come see for yourself?”

Sliding my hand in his outstretched one, Kieran doesn’t have to walk us far for me to understand why he had me meet him halfway up a mountain.

A shocked gasp bursts from me, my hand smacking over my mouth as I gape at what he’s done.

In the middle of a clearing is a pitched tent, fairy lights strung across the clearing, along with two camping chairs positioned around a crackling fire. Off to the side, a table is set up with various foods, including large white and pink marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate to make s’mores.

Tears spring into my eyes even though I thought I had no more tears left to cry.

My heart is feeling the whiplash of this past week, the high and low emotions, but this one is glorious.

Kieran leans forward, plucking up a book I hadn’t noticed. He holds it out to me, and I notice my hands are shaking as I take it.

It’s the copy of my favorite book, the one he annotated.

The realization hits me like a truck. “You recreated my favorite book scene.”

Kieran rubs the nape of his neck, sheepish—I repeat,sheepish! “I know he did it in the backyard for her but you deserve the beauty of the mountain. Then we can also tick something off yourlife list.” He searches my gaze. “I remember you said you’ve never been camping and want?—”

I don’t let him finish his sentence. I throw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck. Kieran catches me, as he always seems to do. As I pepper kisses along his cheek, his laughter rings out, making my soul sing.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I say.