CHAPTER 23
~Hayden~
I couldn’t sleep. I’d been tossing and turning for the last several hours, my every thought centered on what I’d be doing in the morning. I was going to be racing…for Kenzie. She’d be my boss, and I’d be her faithful employee. And that was all we’d be, since she still couldn’t forgive me.
I really thought she’d cool down if I gave her space, but no…something was still sparking her anger, reigniting it over and over again. I’d hurt her so deeply, and that really fucking killed me. All I could see in the darkness of my room, was the look in her eyes when she’d realized I’d been lying to her. I didn’t think I’d ever get that haunting grief out of my mind.
Since sleep was eluding me, I tossed off the covers and hopped out of bed. I needed something to shut off my mind. Grabbing a blanket, I shuffled out the door and wandered to the living room. I could watch some mindless TV while I waited for exhaustion to overtake me.
Hookup’s house was surprisingly empty. Even though it was the middle of the night, there were usually people here, crashed on the couch or playing a late-night game of poker. But ever since Hookup had announced that he was giving up the life he’d known for so long, things around here had quieted down. The party was finally over, and while typically I was grateful for that, tonight I kind of wanted the distraction.
Sitting on his couch, I turned on the TV and started looking for something halfway decent to watch. I ended up finding replays of the race from this past weekend. Watching the bikes fly around the course was bittersweet; I’d known I would miss it, but I hadn’t realized how much until I was there—watching, and not participating. It was torture. Slow, agonizing torture. But Kenzie…she’d nailed it. Everything she’d done out there had been spot-on perfect. I’d never been prouder of her. And had never felt so distant, like I was on the outside, looking in. Watching her triumph, and not being able to celebrate the victory with her, that had been worse than not racing. She was all I wanted, and she was completely out of reach.
“Oh good, you’re up.”
I turned my head to see Hookup shuffling out of the kitchen, a tall glass of milk in his hand. God, he really had changed. Not that long ago, he would have been walking out with a six-pack under his arm. “Yeah…couldn’t sleep.”
Hookup nodded, like he understood insomnia. Sitting beside me, he drank a bit of his milk, then set it on the coffee table. “So, uh, I was going to wait until morning, but now seems as good a time as any.”
Curious, I asked, “Good of time for what?”
Hookup skewed his face in reluctance, like he didn’t want to tell me what he had to say. “I’ve been thinking a lot, and I’ve decided…I’m gonna sell this place. I’m thinking it will go pretty fast, too, so you should probably start looking for somewhere else to stay.”
My jaw nearly hit the floor. “You’re…? Are you serious? You love this place.” Hookup was the king of this particular jungle, and I was floored that he wanted to leave his kingdom behind.
Hookup rubbed his jaw. “Yeah…I did love it…once. But I want to be closer to Izzy and Antonia. I was actually thinking of buying a place for all of us. Something close to the hospital, but outside of the city. Something with a big backyard for Antonia. Something nice…she deserves nice. They both do.”
I just kept staring at him, stunned. It was like he’d been abducted and replaced by…by a caring, thoughtful creature who put other’s needs first. Hookup wanted to live in the suburbs? Willingly? I still couldn’t get over it.
Hookup looked around his place, and I knew he was seeing more than the cracks in the walls. “And besides,” he said, “I’m kind of over…all this. It’s time to move on, you know?”
I did know. I’d wanted to move on from this a long time ago, and I’d tried—several times—to do just that. Smiling at him, I nodded. “I think that’s great, Tony. Antonia will love having you around.”
Hookup grinned, then his face turned more serious. “She wants you around too. Maybe you could find a place near us?”
“Maybe. I’m gonna be pretty busy though. Kenzie hired me as a rider for Cox Racing.”
Hookup’s face nearly split in two he was smiling so wide. “Dude, she did? That’s great!”
“Yeah,” I said with a smile. “I was going to tell you on the way back from Jersey, but it, uh, didn’t feel real at the time. Still doesn’t actually. That’s why I’m not sleeping. Just trying to wrap my head around…my life.”
Hookup playfully socked me in the arm. “I thought for sure you two were splitsville for good. I’m glad she finally got over it. And it’s not like much happened with you and Felicia anyway. A little reunion sex is to be expected, but it’s not like you were bangin’ her every night.” His expression grew contemplative. “Or were you?”
A long, weary sigh escaped me. “For the millionth time, I wasn’t sleeping with Felicia. Not once since she’s been back. No sex. At all. Period.”
Hookup looked disappointed as he shook his head. “Yeah, all right. I don’t get it, but all right…” He smiled and slugged me in the arm. “Either way, I’m glad your woman got over it and took you back.”
I sighed again, but sadly this time. “She didn’t. I’m racing for her…but that’s it. She still doesn’t want… She wants to stay broken up.” And I had no idea how I was going to be around her all the time, but not be with her. Just thinking about it made a sharp pain slice through my chest. The real torture was only just beginning.
Hookup was silent a moment. Then he grabbed his milk and took another swig. At that moment, I really wished he did have a six-pack. Or a fifth of whiskey. “Sucks, man…sorry,” he finally said.
“Yeah,” I murmured, my eyes refocusing on the race highlights currently showing Kenzie’s flawless form. “I’m sorry too.” For so many things.
Hookup went back to bed after finishing his glass of milk. I stayed on the couch, watching numerous different sports recaps until I finally, thankfully drifted off to sleep. When I woke up, nerves were eating holes through my body. Shit. It was time to see her. To see her and act like absolutely nothing was off between us, like me being her employee—and only her employee—was completely normal. Yep. Just another day at work.
Hookup’s place was pretty far from the racetrack, and I still didn’t have a vehicle, so I borrowed Hookup’s car and started making my way back to Oceanside. I needed to get my life together. With Hookup selling his place and moving somewhere with Izzy, I’d need to find my own place soon. My own place, and my own vehicle; it was time for me to truly stand on my own two feet, with no one helping me up. It was something I should have done a long time ago, then maybe I wouldn’t have felt so indebted to Keith.
When I finally got to the turnoff for the practice track, I stopped Hookup’s car so I could take in the fresh new sign along the road. Cox Racing / Benneti Motorsports Practice Track. God, it was so good to see Cox Racing back up there; the sign had looked incomplete without it.
A few moments later, when I reached the outer gate, I realized that there was a small problem. I no longer had a key. I’d have to ride around back and break in, but I really didn’t want to do that. If I was going to truly leave that world behind me, then I needed to start doing things by the book. That meant taking out a loan when I needed money. It also meant not breaking and entering.
Pulling my phone out of my jacket pocket, I debated if I should call Kenzie and ask her to let me in, or call Nikki. Nikki would certainly be the easier way to go, but taking the easy road hadn’t gotten me very far lately. Chewing on my lip, I scrolled down to Kenzie’s number. That was when I noticed a motorcycle stopping at my window.
Looking over, I saw a woman sitting there, staring in my direction, a dark helmet covering her face. Kenzie? I instantly glanced down at the bike. No, not Kenzie. Felicia. I hadn’t talked to her since I’d given her the engagement ring. After Keith had said she’d quit, I kind of thought she’d taken off again. Even though Izzy had said she was still around, it was shocking to see that was true. What was she doing here at the track though? I would think this would be the last place she’d want to be.
I rolled down my window while she popped open her visor. “Going inside?” she asked, tilting her head toward the gate.
Curiosity killed me as I nodded. “Yeah. Can you let me in?”
She nodded, then pulled forward to the gate. Inserting her key card, she punched in the code and the gate instantly began to open. She still had access? Obviously she hadn’t turned hers in once she’d quit. I kind of wished I hadn’t turned mine in either.
The gate rolled open, and she punched it, so I had time to follow her through before it started closing. Once she was on the other side, she stopped and waited for me. “What are you doing here?” she said.
With a short laugh, I told her, “I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
She smiled, then sucked her lip into her mouth, a nervous habit. “I’m about to storm into Keith’s office and demand that he takes me back. Or beg him to take me back, whichever one I need to do.”
For the second time today, I was stunned. “You’re going to race for him again. I thought you were done?”
She gave me a small smile. “I thought I was too, but then someone convinced me that I shouldn’t give up on my dream.”
Her lips curved up into a strange, knowing smile that truly baffled me. I had no idea what secret message she was trying to convey, but then I started thinking about her words. Someone had convinced her to not give up on her dream—her racing dream. “Kenzie?” I blurted out. “You talked to Kenzie?”
Felicia laughed at my reaction. “Yeah, I was shocked too. She came by my house, told me I shouldn’t throw away my dream for a boy. I still can’t believe she wants me to race.”
Pain and guilt lashed across my soul. Don’t give up your dream for a boy? See, Kenzie…I knew you’d resent me. Shaking my head, I told Felicia, “I think she just doesn’t want to see another person have to walk away from something they love to do.” Hope rising inside my chest, I hesitantly added, “Did she…did she mention me?”
Felicia frowned, and I felt a bit of despair creep in. “Yeah, you…came up.”
“And…?” Did she say if she’d ever forgive me?
With a sad smile on her face, Felicia said, “I told her she didn’t have to worry about you and me anymore. That ship has sailed.”
I was surprised to not only hear her say that, but to hear her confess she’d told Kenzie that. I wanted to thank her, but it felt inappropriate, so I stayed quiet on the subject. Not sure what to say, I mumbled, “You didn’t run? When Keith said you’d quit, I thought for sure you’d bail again.”
Her smile widened, but didn’t grow any warmer. “I told you I changed…”
For her sake, I hoped she had. “Good luck in there with Keith. You won’t need it, but good luck all the same.”
Her smile finally turned bright. “Thanks.”
I turned my gaze to the parking lot, and was nearly assaulted by the sight of Kenzie’s truck. She was here…this was happening.
“Hey, Hayden…”
Turning back, I saw Felicia still sitting there on her bike, studying me. When she had my attention, she said, “Good luck with Kenzie.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled, not feeling my chances were anywhere near as positive as hers were with Keith.
Felicia’s eyes searched mine, and her voice grew soft. “Don’t let her go, Hayden. If you really want to be with her, then keep fighting for her.”
Her advice made me smile. “I plan to.” No, if there was one thing in this world that I would gladly spend every moment of the rest of my life doing, it was winning Kenzie back. Nothing else mattered.
Felicia nodded, then twisted like she was going to leave. “Hey, Felicia,” I said, stopping her. She turned back to me, and I held my breath. What I was about to say wasn’t easy, but I knew I needed to say it. I knew from experience how awful it felt to not have someone’s forgiveness, and I couldn’t keep punishing her for a mistake she made over four years ago. “I forgive you for leaving, and for not telling me what you were going through. I forgive you for all of it.”
Her eyes lit up with a combination of hope and joy. “Really?”
An overwhelming sense of relief came over me as I nodded. “Yeah…really.” What I’d forgotten was that it felt just as good to forgive as it did to be forgiven. I’d been hanging onto that pain for far too long.
Felicia grinned, looking more pleased than I’d seen in a while. “Thank you,” she whispered, then she turned toward the track and sped off, to go chase her dream with Keith Benneti. I wished her luck. Hopefully it wouldn’t bite her in the ass like it had me.
It physically hurt to park next to Kenzie’s truck. Being that close made a flood of memories go through me. The fights, the passion, the sex…the love. There was so much about her that I missed, so much about her that I knew I couldn’t live without. Back when I’d been with Felicia, I’d thought I’d had that intense level of love, of companionship, but I’d only scratched the surface. I just hadn’t realized it until I’d met Kenzie. And now it might be too late to fix it.
Shaking off my melancholy, I shut off the car and stepped outside. Walking up to the track was a new experience for me; I usually rode my street bike right up to the garage. Or I used to ride Keith’s street bike to the garage, I guess I should say. Getting my own motorcycle was high on my list of priorities. Just under getting back with Kenzie and finding a place to live.
My eyes drifted to the left side of the track when I entered the main complex. The way things ended with Keith still left a bitter taste in my mouth. So did the way he’d tampered with my personal life. Wanting me to race better was one thing, wanting me to date better was another.
Without wasting another second reminiscing over my career with Keith, I turned to my new home with Cox Racing. The garage doors were rolled open, and, even from where I was standing, I could hear Kenzie’s voice. The sound of her laughter was painful music to my ears; it was a sound I’d give anything to be able to produce from her again.
Hands in my pockets, I forced myself to calmly continue walking over to the Cox garages. I can do this. A rider was leaving the track right as I walked past the entrance. I glanced over to see who it was, then stopped when I saw Rodney popping open his visor.
He smiled at me, then nodded over to where I’d been headed. “Starting your new gig today?”
A humorless laugh escaped me. “Keith knows about that already?” I asked, not really all that surprised.
Rodney’s face turned incredulous. “You know how small this world is. He’s pissed, by the way. Thinks you betrayed him by going over to the enemy.”
Right, I betrayed him. “You agree with him?”
He considered me for long moment before answering. “Nah. You tried to work things out with Keith, but from what I could tell, he was being an insufferable dick. I would have quit too.”
His comment made me happy, but I had to wonder…things between us were actually improving, would that end now that we were no longer teammates? “Do you think the Cox/Benneti ban will be back in effect? Now that Cox Racing has reopened?” If so, he shouldn’t be on the track right now, since it was technically Cox time. And we shouldn’t be talking; during the old ban, that was a fireable offense.
Rodney sighed, like he wasn’t sure if the ban should be in place or not. “I don’t know. Since it’s Kenzie’s team now, and not Jordan’s, maybe Keith won’t be so strict about the whole thing. I mean, I understand not getting too friendly with the competition…” He frowned as his thought faded, then he shook his head. “Nah, fuck that. No harm in hanging out as far as I can tell.” Tilting his head, a sympathetic look touched his face. “How’s your kid, man? Get out of the hospital okay?”
Touched that he was asking, that he seemed to want some sort of friendship, I nodded and grinned. “Yeah, she’s home and doing much better. Thanks.”
Rodney grinned too. “Good, glad to hear it. Guess I better go report to Keith. Even though the season’s over, he’s acting like the first race of the year is about to start.”
He rolled his eyes, and I laughed at the gesture. “Yeah, well, I think he might be in a good mood when you get back. He just rehired Felicia.” I wasn’t sure if he had—I supposed he could have turned her down out of spite—but odds were good she was a Benneti again.
Rodney’s eyes widened in shock. “Really? Damn, that is good news. That girl is so fucking hot.” Clearing his throat, he quickly added, “And talented, too…of course.”
Of course. Well, if he wanted to make a play for her, he was welcome to it. Maybe if Felicia was dating someone else, Kenzie might finally realize that I wasn’t interested in her, and she’d take me back.
I waved a quick goodbye to Rodney, and turned back to the garages. Each step closer was a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Would today be the day we worked everything out? I hoped so. When I got close enough to the doors, I could see Kenzie standing there, talking to Nikki. Nikki looked like she was trying not to be sick, and Kenzie’s face was scrunched in concern for her friend. God, I loved that look on her. I loved every look on her—even pissed.
Suddenly, she twisted around and looked right at me. Our eyes locked, and my breath caught in my throat. Jesus—the wildness in her wavy hair, the fullness of her kissable lips, the intelligence in her eyes…Rodney had it all wrong. Felicia wasn’t the hot one. Kenzie was. I stumbled on my step, caught off guard by the intensity in her gaze. Kenzie turned away with a heavy exhale, like she’d been trapped by my stare. Then she said something to Nikki…and walked away. The disappointment nearly crushed me where I stood. She wasn’t even going to talk to me? We’d never be able to work together this way. Something had to give.
My face felt rigid as I walked into the garage. Nikki still looked green, but she waved when she saw me. “Hey, Hayden. Kenzie had to…well, she said…” With a heavy exhale, she gave up trying to make up excuses for her friend. “She just needs more time.”
Heaviness settled over me. More time. I’d already given her weeks. If she couldn’t even—shit. There really was no hope for us. “Thanks,” I told Nikki, my voice subdued. Shoving aside my own problems, I quietly asked her, “You okay? You look like you’re about to throw up. Bad breakfast burrito or something?”
She immediately slapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes hardened into daggers, like she was blaming me for her stomach, then she bolted from the room, heading for the locker room. Damn. Was it something I said?
Someone behind me felt the same way. “What the hell did you say to her, man?”
Looking behind me, I saw Myles walking into the garage. He was holding a duffel bag in one hand, his racing helmet in the other. He was moving in today, same as me. Only I didn’t have anything yet. Keith had provided everything for me, so I was showing up empty-handed; not a good feeling. “Hey, Myles. I didn’t say anything to her. I think she ate something bad.”
Hopefully that was all it was. I couldn’t handle someone else I cared about being truly sick. And I did care about Nikki. She’d been a great mechanic, and, even though she’d always kind of been in the middle of Kenzie and me, she’d been a good friend too. Hopefully I could return the favor one day.
“Congratulations on winning the championship. That was an amazing race,” I said, trying to change the subject, since Myles seemed unconvinced.
From the look he was giving me, it was clear he was trying to find some sort of hidden meaning in my praise. Search all you want, I’m being sincere. Finally, his lips curved into a barely-there smile. “Thanks.” Glancing over at the locker room, he said, “I better go check on Nikki.”
I nodded, but then put a hand up to stop him from moving. “I know I’ve said this before, but I really am sorry about what happened to you last year.” I hesitated a second, debating, and then I added, “I didn’t directly have anything to do with the accident, but…a friend of mine did. I didn’t know until it was too late, and then…I didn’t do enough to stop him. I felt stuck. I felt responsible. I felt obligated to stay silent for him. I felt…like shit. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry you got caught up in what he was doing, I’m sorry I didn’t do more. I hope one day you can forgive me, because I really respect you.”
Holding my breath, I extended my hand to him. I’d never quite so bluntly admitted that much to him, and I hope he took it as closure, instead of ammunition that he could take to the officials. His dark eyes scrutinized me for seemingly countless minutes before finally setting his helmet on a table and grabbing my hand. “I’m assuming this…friend…is no longer a problem?” he asked.
Smiling, I shook my head. No, somehow Hookup had finally grown up. “He won’t touch another bike again. And, if for some reason he ever does, I’ll turn him in myself.”
Myles cracked a genuine smile as he let go of my hand. “Welcome to the team, Hayden. This should be an interesting year.”
I couldn’t disagree with that.
After Myles disappeared, I looked around the garage for Kenzie. She was nowhere in sight, so I had to assume she was upstairs in her new office.
As I trudged my way up the stairs, I looked around at the small changes Kenzie had already made to the garage—there was new paint on the walls, new windows in the garage doors, new signs on the walls. Where everything had looked rundown and forgotten before, it was bright and alive with new energy now. Kenzie’s energy. She’d even revitalized the Cox Racing logo, freshening it up for a younger feel. When I reached the upstairs, I noticed her handiwork there too. It was like the entire building had heaved a grateful sigh of relief that she had come and saved it; I understood the feeling.
Kenzie’s office door was closed, her name proudly displayed in large chrome letters, along with the title—owner—underneath it. Seeing her position made me smile as I rapped on the door with my knuckle. Silence. I tried again, a little harder this time. When there still was no answer, I rolled my eyes and said, “Come on, Kenzie. I work for you now…you can’t ignore an employee.”
The door instantly opened. “Technically you haven’t filled out the paperwork yet, so you’re not actually an employee.”
I frowned as I considered that. “Did you change your mind about hiring me?” Please say no.
Kenzie sighed, then walked over to stand behind her desk, like she needed the heavy piece of furniture between us. “No. I still need a rider of your caliber on my team.” I raised my eyebrow, testing her, and she sighed. “I need you, okay?”
Her words singed me with an unexpected jolt of pain, and I cringed. I need you. God, how I wanted that to be true. Like she understood my reaction, she quickly added, “On the team. I need you on the team.”
Forcing a smile, I nodded. “Good. This is where I want to be.” You’re where I want to be.
Kenzie’s mouth popped open like she’d heard my mental addition. Licking her lips, she grabbed some papers off her desk and began nervously rifling through them. “I’ve got some stuff for you to fill out—standard employment paperwork. Do you have your driver’s license with you? I’ll need to make a copy…”
Stepping over to her, I put my hand over hers, stopping her incessant shuffling. “You’re nervous. Do I make you nervous?” I’d made her several things since I’d met her, but nervous had never seemed to be one of them.
Fire instantly sprang into her eyes. There’s my girl. “No, you don’t. I just have a lot to do right now, and I told you to meet with John, not me. If you can’t listen to simple instructions, then—”
A laugh burst out of me before I could stop it. She was mad at me for not following directions? For wanting to see her? Bullshit. She was mad because she wanted me here. And she didn’t want to want me. It was our age-old problem, resurfacing its ugly head. “Nikki said you needed time. Is that true? Are you thinking about…?” Firmly pressing my lips together, I stopped myself from asking her about us.
Kenzie pulled away from where I was touching her. Sighing, she put down the papers. “Felicia told me that you guys didn’t sleep together. She told me you were faithful, even when you didn’t have to be. She said I shouldn’t give up on you…”
Hope squeezed my heart so hard I thought it might burst. Was she giving us a chance? I moved around to her side of the desk, but she put her hand up, stopping me. “Even if you didn’t sleep with her, even if you never did anything inappropriate with her…you still lied to me. How can I ever trust you, Hayden? How can we possibly work?”
Panic surged inside me; I knew I had one shot at fixing this. One. That was it. “I’m thickheaded, I know that, but I’ve learned, Kenzie. This lesson has sunk in.”
She rolled her eyes, but I grabbed her arms, holding her gaze. “Being without you all this time…it’s been hell. And if you’re offering me a way out of hell, then there’s no way I’d ever risk going back. If you set me free from this prison, I’ll do everything in my power to stay free, to stay true, to stay with you. You have every piece of my heart, and I can’t imagine any reason on this Earth why I’d ever lie to you again. I don’t think I even could. You’re my best friend, you’re my family, and nothing feels real if you’re not there with me. I can’t function without you. I don’t want to. I don’t want to go another day without you by my side.”
I couldn’t think of more to say except begging her over and over to forgive me, and I didn’t think that would sway her. My heart was pounding as I stared into her eyes. Please say something before I explode. She didn’t though. She just kept looking at me, analyzing me, trying to determine if she could trust me. I couldn’t take the silence, I couldn’t take the scrutiny. I needed action.
“Fuck it,” I murmured, then I leaned forward and found her lips. Hot fire surged through me as we connected. God, I’d missed this.
I expected Kenzie to get pissed and shove me away, expected her to end this immediately. But she didn’t. She did the opposite. She attacked me. Her arms wrapped around my body, her fingers dug into my scalp, and she let out a groan that sent shockwaves of pleasure to my cock. Fuck, yes.
Our kiss intensified, and I had to steady my feet to keep from falling over. As I engulfed her in my arms, a part of me wondered what this meant. Had she forgiven me? Taken me back? Were we fine? Because I really needed us to be fine.
When her tongue stroked mine, all coherent thought escaped me, and pure, animal instinct took over. Leaning down, I cleared off her desk with one swoosh of my arm. Paper, pens, and a Cox Racing mug that I hoped was empty went crashing to the ground. Kenzie groaned again as I backed her into the desk. She dropped her head back, and I instantly trailed kisses along her neck, lower and lower, to the top of her chest.
Her shirt had half-a-dozen buttons keeping it modest. I didn’t want modesty at the moment, and popped open the buttons. When I could see a black-lacy bra peeking at me, I swept aside her shirt and kissed a gloriously rigid nipple through the fabric.
Kenzie exhaled a shuddering breath, then finally pushed me away. She scooted back until she was sitting on her bare desk, then held up both hands, warding me off. “Wait…wait,” she panted. “This isn’t what I wanted.”
My body was hard, ready, and now it was starting to ache. Stopping wasn’t something I wanted to be doing. “What did you want then?” I said through clenched teeth.
“I wanted time. I wanted to take things slowly.” She gave me a soft smile on the end, like she understood she was killing me.
But her words eased the ache, and a smile stretched over my lips. “Take things slowly? As in…together?”
She laughed, and her hand fell to my chest. “Yes…together.” Her expression grew more serious. “I don’t trust you right now, and that’s a serious problem. But…I think I could trust you, and because of that slim possibility, I’m willing…to try again.”
With a relieved exhale, I pulled her to her feet, and hugged her with every ounce of love I possessed. “Oh, God, thank you. Thank you. I didn’t know how the hell I was going to work with you and not go crazy.”
She giggled, and my heart soared at hearing it. “Yeah, I hadn’t figured that one out either.” Pulling back, she stared into my eyes. “But I’m serious about the going slow part. I want to know my heart is safe before I give it to you again.”
I cupped her cheek, and she closed her eyes, savoring the contact. “I’m fine with going slow, Kenzie. I’m fine with anything, so long as it’s with you.”
Lowering my lips to hers, I gave her a soft, chaste kiss. My forever is with you. I didn’t think that sentence sounded slow and easy, so I kept it myself, but my heart sang with the truth of it. She was it for me, and so long as she was open to giving me a chance, I wouldn’t stop until she knew the truth of that too.
***