boss anymore. First things first, I’m glad you came back, but I’m sorry I didn’t chase you down.”
“I wouldn’t have wanted you to leave Ella,” she says, and that sends something warm and happy dancing through my chest.
“That’s the only reason I didn’t come after you.”
“It’s nice to know you would have otherwise,” she says with a smile.
I lean into her palms more, and she lets me inch closer. “I would have chased you into forever. I’m not letting you go.”
“I’m sorry I left,” Zoey says simply. “I got scared.”
“You had every right to be. There’s a lot against us from the start. And then things moved so fast, carrying us along. I should have made sure you knew how I felt much sooner. Years ago.”
Her blue eyes blink up at me, so bright and clear and beautiful. “And how do you feel?” she asks in a whisper.
“Like a man who will do anything for the woman he loves. And I do love you, Zoey. There are complications, but I’d like to think love will uncomplicate them. That is … if that love is returned?”
I watch the corners of her mouth twitch, tightening like she’s keeping her smile in check. “Gavin, are you fishing for compliments?”
“I wasn’t. But now I’m going to be demanding.”
I press even closer, until she’s backed up against the porch railing. Her palms are still on my chest, but they’re not pushing me away.
“Zoey, do you love me? Do you want to figure out this messy life with me? Perhaps build a messy one together, and, when I’m ready to properly ask you, be my wife?”
Maybe it’s too much. Definitely too fast. But I figure that I might as well put it all the way out there at once. Then, at least, we’ll know. Thankfully, Zoey doesn’t make me wait.
Her smile is brighter than the sun that tipped over the horizon moments ago, more spectacular too. “I love you, Gavin. I’m terrified, but I do love you, and I’d like to figure this out.”
She doesn’t stop me now from pressing my mouth to hers in a kiss that feels anything but complicated. She tastes of coffee and mint and forever. Her hands bunch in my shirt, yanking me closer, and I slide the hair tie out of her hair, running my fingers through the long strands.
The heat of the day begins to creep over us. It’s still summer in Texas, and the sunlight is merciless. Her lips are soft and hot, and even my fantasy barn kiss doesn’t compare to this one.
I pull away moments later, resting my forehead on hers and letting my hands trace over her cheeks, her neck, and her shoulders.
“I love you,” I whisper, needing to say the words again. I have a feeling I’m going to need to say them a lot.
“I love you too,” she says.
We stand there for a few minutes, holding each other as the ranch wakes around us. My thoughts are on Zoey, and our future. But I’m also wondering when Ella will wake up, and also how much goat poop I’m going to be cleaning from the upstairs. I’m considering whether Zoey would want to live in my house in Austin, and if it would be a conflict of interest for me to write a letter of recommendation for whatever job she applies for next. I’m thinking about whether Eleanor is going to fight me for custody or just give Ella up.
Zoey presses a finger to my forehead, smoothing out the furrow that I’m sure my worries are causing.
“We’ll figure it all out,” she says. “Together.”
Her words instantly reassure me. “We will.”
“Speaking of complications, you and Ella have been officially invited to my birthday dinner tonight. With my brother and Abby. And … my Dad.”
I know the crease Zoey smoothed away is already back. I sigh. “Two questions. One: does he know how old I am?” She nods. “Two: Is he going to answer the door with a shotgun?”
Zoey’s grin turns wicked. “For you? Most definitely.”
Epilogue- Love Cliche #2
Falling for Your Boss
Zoey
Delilah sweeps the makeup brush over my cheek for the eight-hundredth time. I swear, if she doesn’t stop messing with my face, I’m going to toss her makeup kit in the nearest trash can. I looked ready twenty minutes ago: hair done in cascading curls down my back, wedding dress in place, and makeup perfect.
Not that that any of those details matter. Not really. All I can think about is the man I can’t wait