Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“You are.” Sean crossed the room to give me a kiss that had me very grateful for the thick blinds we’d installed.
“And you’re already showered.” I ran a finger along the edge of his towel, dipping lower over his hipbones.
“I am.” Sean steered me toward the small bathroom, which, while updated, was still smaller than many closets. Multitasking, Sean kept tugging at my clothes as we went. “Your turn.”
“Our next house is going to have a shower for two. Walk-in, tile, dual showerheads,” I mused as I finished stripping, only to turn when Sean gasped. “What?”
“You said next house.” Leaning against the corner sink, Sean’s eyes were wide and surprisingly emotional.
“Well, yeah, down the road a piece, when Eric and his kids need us less…” I trailed off because Sean’s smile became as wide as his eyes.
“I love you.” Tone offhand, he beamed at me. He was so easy with his feelings that I wasn’t sure whether he meant the words casually or as a more serious declaration.
Ever cautious, I went for joking. “Because I’m dreaming of a bigger shower?”
“Because you’re you.” Sean pushed away from the sink to come cup my face. Serious. He was definitely serious. My pulse sped up. “And you’re dreaming of a future together.”
“You make the future less scary.” I sucked my lips inward, swallowing hard. I knew the expected reply, but the words were stuck behind a boulder in my chest. “Thank you. And I…”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say it back.” Sean pressed a sweet kiss to my lips.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said it. Like ever.” I tiptoed through my memories, but no, nothing I could recall. I clenched and unclenched my hands, moving them to Sean’s sides, pulling him closer.
“I get it.” He stroked a hand down my bare shoulder.
“But I’m pretty sure I feel it,” I whispered. It was easier to talk into Sean’s hair, not have to see his face, but having him near enough to give me strength. “That’s what this is, this feeling of being home even when I’m not actually here.”
“Yeah.” His voice was muffled against my collarbone. “It is. Now to the shower—”
“I love you.” The words came out in a dazed rush, but I got them out.
“Oh wow.” Sean embraced me tighter, face damp against my neck. “Thank you.”
“Don’t you dare cry.” I faked a stern tone to cover my own lack of composure.
“I’m a Murphy. We get emotional.” Sean raised his head to give me the softest look I’d ever seen. If love had a look, that was it. “Someday…never mind.”
“Someday what?” My heart hammered, but I wanted to know.
“It’s too soon. Way down the road, like the next house and all that, but in the future…” He inhaled sharply, then whispered, “Maybe someday, you’ll be a Murphy too.”
“Yeah.” I kissed him because there was nothing else left to do. Kiss him, love him, and try like hell to trust in that future we both wanted.
Epilogue
Caleb
This doesn’t have to be awkward. As I exited my truck at the park, I tried to remember why I’d agreed to attend the birthday celebration for Eric Davis, one of our lead paramedics. Most of our crew was attending, and my absence might have been noted, but as I surveyed the city park, I was tempted to get right back in my truck.
“I shouldn’t have come,” I muttered. And, of course, my friend, Tate, chose that moment to stride up next to me.
“Why?” Tate asked. Like me, he wore a white T-shirt and jeans. Unlike me, however, he had an adoring lawyer boyfriend holding his hand and hanging on his every word.
“Did you forget a gift?” Tennessee asked, holding up a small bag. “I can put your name on ours—”
“I have a gift.” I held up the card I’d picked up on the way to the town park. I had no idea what the appropriate gift was for a recent widower, but a funny card and a gift certificate for pizza would have to do.
“And no offense, guys, but too many happy couples and families.” I gestured at the park. Seemed like not only the whole fire and rescue community but also the whole darn town of Mount Hope had turned out. Teens swarmed across the green space, younger kids packed the playground, and multiple grills were already smoking. No matter which direction I looked, I encountered more couples toting picnic baskets and holding hands like Tennessee and Tate. “I get why they had to move the barbecue to the park instead of the house.”
“Too crowded for you? Our resident party animal?” Tate made a show of inspecting me like I might be ill. “Are you still salty that Murphy got away?”
“No, I’m happy for him,” I lied. I’d spotted Sean right away, over near a big grill on wheels, his boyfriend beside him. Tate was one of the few who knew about my prior and all-finished crush. “Let it drop, okay?”