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“I know. He’s such a good dog. I feel so bad, thinking Milton might’ve hurt him.”
“Hey, he seemed healthy and strong. There was no sign of abuse. We can be thankful for that.”
“I am.”
Oliver hugged her tight. His heart rate still hadn’t returned to normal yet.
“Can you take me home with you?” she whispered.
“Whatever you want.”
“I just want to be with you.”
The sight of Adelia curled up on his couch gave Oliver a huge sense of relief. The thought of losing her was more than he could bear. All of these worst-case scenarios had gone through his mind while driving to the lake house. Once they knew it was Milton, he had to get to her, to let her know. He never thought Milton would take it as far as he did. But after the steps he took to blackmail her, it was clear his desperation for the money, maybe even his strange obsession with the Schultz family and those they loved, had taken things to the next level.
“How’s your head?” Oliver asked.
“Throbbing, but worth it.” She smirked and rubbed the back of her head. “I’ve never head-butted anyone before.”
“Here.” Oliver handed her a glass of water and two Tylenol.
“Thanks.”
He sat down beside her, lifted her legs across his lap, and went to work rubbing one of her feet.
Adelia set the glass on the side table and laid back, her eyes sliding closed. “Mmm. That feels really good. I could get used to this.”
He chuckled and worked the arch, determined to help her relax. When he was sure he’d sufficiently massaged that one, he moved to the other. She looked so still, he thought she might’ve fallen asleep. But when he started on her other foot, she let out a contented sigh, and he smiled.
Long minutes later, she sat up and crawled onto his lap with her legs to the side, and he wrapped an arm around her back, pulling her closer. His fingertips traced down the side of her face as hers did the same to his. And then they were kissing, slow and deep, breathing each other in.
“I was afraid I was going to lose you,” he admitted.
“I was afraid of never being right here ever again.”
He leaned his forehead against hers, and their next words came out at the same time.
“I love you,” he said.
“I want to get married,” she said.
He lifted his head and looked at her with wide eyes. “You want to get married?”
“Not right now.” She chuckled. “But someday.”
“You’re serious?”
She nodded and grinned at him.
“What changed your mind?”
“My mom, actually.”
Oliver raised an eyebrow.
“She reminded me that marriage was something I’ve always wanted. I was just confused about my parents. And what you said at Gus and Merritt’s wedding really stuck with me. I was afraid of getting hurt if I risked everything for love. The thought of getting married made me feel too vulnerable. But I won’t let fear keep me from happiness anymore.” She leaned in and touched her lips to his. “So yeah, marriage is something I want.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “Good to know.”