words into the camera, he was pretty sure she wouldn’t, but he didn’t want to let go. Not now. Not ever.
Riley looked up at him and touched his cheek with a featherlight finger. “Did Raul give you that bruise?”
“Uh, no. My brother decked me.”
She pulled back, her eyes wide. “What?”
“Nathaniel. After he got back from driving you to the airport. He had a few choice things to say about how I’d been treating you.”
“You treated me just fine.”
Adam had to love her loyalty. He cradled her face between his hands and brushed his lips lightly against hers. “Did you mean what you said to the reporter?”
“Depends on what you’re referring to.”
That might be a gleam in her eyes.
He held her gaze. “That you love me. For real.”
“I do. It might not be wise of me.”
Adam’s gut tightened. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because we’ve both been pretending for so long, I don’t know what’s truth anymore.” Her eyes searched his. “And because you might not feel the same.”
His fingers tangled in her unruly hair. “What if I told you...” He trailed kisses across her face. “What if I told you I loved you more than anyone or anything in the world, but it might not be wise of you to love me back?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?” she whispered, echoing him.
“Because I told Declan everything. He hasn’t come right out and said it, but I’m certain I’ve lost Running Creek. Nathaniel hates my guts, while Noah is only severely disappointed. I made my mother cry. I’m a loser, Riley. I have nothing to offer you except my love and devotion, but I promise that’s yours forever.”
Riley held his wrists where he touched her face. That brash diamond gleamed on the third finger of her left hand. He’d bought it for show, but now it didn’t seem big enough — bold enough — to declare his love.
Then she stretched the distance between them and melded her mouth to his.
Adam stilled his breath as he closed his eyes, accepting her kiss for a long moment before he groaned and gathered her close. “Oh, Riley. I love you so much. I don’t know why you love me back, but I’m thankful.”
“Because you’re a man of integrity,” she whispered between kisses. “Because you follow Jesus.”
He’d done a poor job of that. “But I used you for my own advancement.”
“I used you, too, to get away from Raul, though I never dreamed he was capable of this. But I knew what I was getting in for with you. You never lied to me, Adam. Not once.”
No. No, he hadn’t. But he’d listened to the rumors. “Scotty...”
“I’ve never felt a thing for him. Since the moment I met you, it’s been you, all the way, every day.”
“You believe in love at first sight?” It had taken him longer, but man, the attraction had sure been there from the first kiss. He’d desperately needed to keep her in his life. Keep her close. Even if he’d gone about it the wrong way.
“Maybe?”
Her phone dinged, and Riley sighed before pulling it from her pocket and thumbing it on. Then she smiled. “Dad’s awake.”
“He’s going to be okay?”
“I think so.”
“I should get you back to the hospital. Sorry, my rental car is over there, so we’ll need to get an Uber.” He hesitated. “Do you want lunch first? I have no idea what time it is.”
“We can get something in the cafeteria later. Or a vending machine.” She linked her hand with his and swung them together. “Am I dreaming? Because I like this dream.”
“Did you miss the part where I’m unemployed?”
“Did you miss the part where it doesn’t matter? We’ll figure it all out. Together.”
“I don’t deserve you.” Yes, he’d come all this way to declare himself, but he’d never dreamed she’d take him back before he was done groveling. He’d never dreamed she’d take him back at all. That she’d loved him all along. Why had he been so blind?
“None of us deserves grace, Adam. God has forgiven me so much. I know your heart was in the right place.” She fingered the collar of his shirt. The shirt she’d given him.
She wore the necklace and earrings, too. He’d only just noticed. The most important gift she wore was his ring.
Adam lifted her left hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “This ring... I’d rather you didn’t pawn it, Ry.”
“Oh?” She smiled up at him, her head tilted to one side. “Why’s that?”
“Because I’d like to authenticate that rash