I pull up in front of the shop, seeing her sitting at the counter, tears streaming down her face, the newspaper laid out in front of her.

The bell over the door chimes, alerting her that someone is here. She looks up, her eyes widen in shock. As I start to approach her, I hear my sister’s voice coming from the back

“It’s about time you got here,” her smile grows.

“Well, I’ll leave you two alone.” She shoots Ev a sympathetic look, and me she gives the stink eye to as she walks out of Everleigh’s shop.

I walk towards the counter and my heartbeat speeds up. My palms start to get sweaty and all of a sudden it feels rather hot in here. I know it’s nerves. She looks beautiful with a hint of vulnerability to her. I caused her to be unsure. I can’t blame her for the apprehension in her eyes when she says ‘hey’ in a voice softer than normal.

I came here on a mission to get her back. Not that I fully had her to begin with, but just from our night at the amusement park and those life-changing kisses, I know she’s mine. Now, I just need to convince her of that.

“What are you doing?” She squeals as I lift her from the stool, setting her on the counter, careful of her foot. I look at her. Her vulnerability tugging at my heart, I lean in. I place a chaste kiss on her lips. I pull back and see the tears start to fall. I feel my own building behind my eyelids but do nothing to stop them. Hurting her has hurt me which is something she needs to see.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” my voice trembling. Her tears fall faster. I lean back over the counter taking her face into my hands, I wipe the tears from under her eyes. I brush her cheeks with soft kisses, ending with a final kiss to her pouty lips.

She pulls back, the struggle apparent in her eyes, which have turned a liquid amber.

“Colton, stop.” Her voice is commanding with just a hint of uncertainty.

“I don’t get it. This push and pull with you. One minute, you look at me like I’m the only person on this Earth and the next, it’s like I’m a pariah.” She pushes herself back in an attempt to put space between us. I will my arms to not reach for her and bring her back to me. I need her close, I need to keep physical contact, so we both know that this is real.

“Ev,” I plead. For what? I don’t know. Maybe for her to stop crying, because the anguish on her face is gutting me, or maybe because she’s speaking the truth. The truth can be so hard to handle. It takes you by the head, forcing you to look in the mirror and see some of the ugliness there that you try to hide with everything you have.

“I read your article and I appreciate it so much. I’m not even going to deny the fact that there are feelings there, nor that it gave me hope. But the way you treated me, that’s not okay.” Her eyes start to water and the pull to her is overwhelming. My body gives in and I reach for her, pulling her against me. She adjusts herself, so she is facing me. The fact that our arms are still touching doesn’t go unnoticed, offering me a glimmer of hope.

I rake my hand through my hair “I know, baby. I am so sorry. I don’t know, it was always a no-zone with you. Looking back on it, I know it’s ridiculous and I regret all the time that we wasted because of it. You may not forgive me now, but one day you will because as much as you want to fight it, you will give in. Do you know why?”

She looks puzzled. “Because you are mine. I know it, probably for a lot longer than I realized. Even though you’re hurt right now, you still know it too.”

That’s the fucking truth. Everything we are screams that we belong to each other. I just had my head too far up my ass to hear it.

“Colton…” her voice trails off, she goes quiet. My girl deep in thought is so adorable with the way her forehead and her nose scrunch. I stifle a laugh at the cuteness.

“What was in that editorial was the truth. I was so afraid of fucking up your friendship with Sienna. I was afraid what people would think of our five-year age difference. I was afraid you couldn’t handle my travel, but the reality is, knowing what I know now, accepting what’s between us, I don’t want to do that anymore.”

“What? But you love what you do!”

“Like I said on our date, it’s time I cut back on the travelling. Having you as mine means that I’m right where I belong. Right here. Next to you.” A small sob escapes her, but I continue “It’s true that I love what I do, but I love you more.”

“Colton...” She moves in closer and I lean down so our foreheads are touching. I take her hands into mine, holding them tightly.

“If you give me a chance, I promise it will be just you and me against the world. I will show you how much you mean to me every day. I will never give you a reason to doubt my feelings for you or to lose faith or trust in me. I will do what I should have done since the first time I felt something for you when you showed up to Sienna’s big performance in New York.”

“What’s that?” her voice turns breathy and I know I’m winning her over. I can’t control the smile that crosses my face.

“Claim you. Make you mine. Just love you every damn day.”

She lifts her head and kisses me. She takes control of the kiss, nipping my bottom lip coaxing me to let her in. When our tongues collide, a switch goes off and I grasp the back of her neck, pulling her closer. Tasting her. Lapping at her mouth. Showing her the truth not only with my words but in this kiss and every one we had on our date.

“So, what now?” The nerves return, hoping that she says we can give it a real go. That she’ll agree to let me take her out on a real, mind-blowing first date.

“Well, Sienna was my ride, so you get to take me home” She grins, waggling her eyebrows. I throw my head back in laughter and the sound of her laughing with me is music to my ears. I kiss her on the nose.

“Ok, baby. Tell me how to lock up” I say.

She shouts instructions from her perch on the counter. I put the money in a bank bag and put in the safe. I make sure all the windows are closed and the back door is locked. I lock her office door, after grabbing her bright red purse.

I go back to her and lift her off the counter, handing her the crutches. “What’s your alarm code so I can set it?” I ask.

“It’s 11111,” I shake my head at her easy to figure out passcode.

“What am I going to with you, silly girl?” I smile wide.

“You’re going to take me home, and hopefully to bed,” she grins back.

The thought of her writhing under me gives me an instant hard-on.

“Okay, gimpy, let’s hurry up and get out of here.”

She laughs all the way out of the store and I know that we are going to be ok.