and when I tried to tell Max how I was feeling, he would just ignore me and carry on, because he was happy, so that was all that mattered to him.”
“I’m sorry you weren’t happy.”
“Me too, but I learned a lot from him,” I say softly running my fingers down his side.
“What’s that?” he prompts, gently pressing a kiss to my forehead.
“I learned that if you’re with someone and they really love you, they put your happiness and theirs together. They don’t try to fit you into their box. They don’t put their wants above yours. They find a way to make it so you are both fulfilled and getting what you each need out of life,” I say. When I hear nothing from him in response—not even a breath—I wonder if he’s fallen asleep. “Zach?”
“I’m here.” He sounds choked up. “I hope I can make you happy. I hope we can find a way to make each other happy,” he conveys, not knowing he’s already done that for me. That being with him and the kids makes me happy. Having them around, going to dinner, cooking, watching movies, or just spending time together is what makes me happy.
“You make me happy. You and the kids are what makes me happy. I don’t need more. I just need you guys,” I tell him honestly, and his arms tighten around me.
“I love you, Shel. Fuck, but I didn’t think it was possible to love you more than I did years ago, but I was wrong… so fucking wrong.”
“Zach.” I never thought he would say those words to me again, never believed we would have what we have again after so many years apart.
“I don’t need you to say it. I just need you to hear it and take it in. I love you and Hunter. I love that you have taken my daughter under your wing and accepted my son for the man he is becoming. I love that even after so many years, you’re still the sweetest woman I’ve ever met, and I love knowing I will have a lifetime of that sweetness in my bed. I never wanted to even hope to have what I have right now, and I probably don’t deserve it, but you’re mine and I’m keeping you,” he growls, and I feel myself smile.
“I know you said to take it in, but I love you too, and I love your kids.”
“That’s probably good, babe. I’d hate for you to be unhappy for the next sixty years or so,” he says, and I laugh then moan, feeling his hand slide up my side under his tee, which I stole when I got ready for bed. “I wish the kids were in bed already.”
“Me too,” I whisper, feeling his hand brush the underside of my breast, and then he’s up out of bed, dragging me with him. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going to shower,” he mutters, tugging my hand.
“I don’t need one. I already showered.” I laugh as he pulls me along with him toward the bathroom.
“I thought you wanted to see if I could hold you up.” He rips the shirt off over my head then turns and starts the water.
“I definitely want to see that.” I smile to his back as he kicks off his sleep pants, steps in under the spray, and turns toward me, holding out his hand. By the time we’re done and back in bed, I’ve learned that not only can he hold me up, he can do a lot of other things to me while he’s standing with me wrapped around him.
Chapter 11
Zach
“I’m free,” Shel yells, as soon as I close the door to her house then proceeds to run toward me, jumping into my arms, giving me no choice but to catch her on the fly.
Smiling, I lean back to see her smiling at me. “I take it Max was able to catch a fight home after all?” I mutter, knowing she’s been gnawing at the bit to get Max out of the house and back to Seattle since the day he showed up. He planned on staying until Friday, but after everything that came out about his girlfriend and their child, and probably realizing his fuck-up, he had been trying to change his flight and get home sooner. But this time of year, with the cold coming in, fishing slowing down, and tourists leaving, planes are always full, with an abundance of people waiting on standby.
“Yes.” She nods