Page 217 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

This time, I do.

I get out and walk her to the door. She turns beneath the porch light. For a moment, we only look at each other. Then she slips her arms around my waist. I pull her close.

"I love you," she says.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing it.

"I love you."

I kiss her. Slowly. Her fingers move into my hair. For one dangerous second, driving her home feels like the worst idea I've had all night. I make myself lift my head.

Maddy smiles against my mouth.

"Good night, Javier."

"Good night, Maddy."

She unlocks the door. Before she goes inside, she turns.

"Tomorrow?"

"Try keeping me away."

Her smile follows me all the way back to the truck.

The cottage feels different when I return. Not empty. Waiting. Her wineglass is still on the table. Two plates sit beside the sink. The wooden spoon rests where I left it after she kissed me instead of feeding me. I pick it up. Smile. Then put it in the sink.

I clean the kitchen. Turn off the lights. Halfway down the hall, I stop.

The velvet box is exactly where I left it. I take it out. Open it. The diamond catches the light. Deep-blue sapphires surround it. My grandmother's ring. My mother's promise.

Your mother believed you would know.

For a long time, I thought some things, once lost, stayed lost. Then Diego walked into the farm and gave me another chance to be his father. Maddy came back and chose a life with me.

Tomorrow I'll bring her car to Helen's, and I'll get to see her again. Next weekend my son will be here. Ordinary things. Except they don't feel ordinary to me. They feel like a life I never thought I'd get to have.

My breath catches. I look down at the ring.

I smile.

"Yeah, Mom. I know."

I close the box.

Tonight, Maddy chose me. And I chose her.

The rest will come.

It's only a matter of when.

Epilogue

One Year Later

Madison

"Can I taste it?"