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I thought that every day was going to be a grind. The same as the last. Me riding on an exercise bike, pedaling endlessly and never getting anywhere. But there’s him. And all this magic that we’ve made together.

“I’m going to buy the ranch from your father,” he says.

“Caleb…”

“I’m going to buy it from him and I’m going to make sure that it’s run properly. He’ll always have a place to stay. He’s never going to be out on his own. Between the two of us, we can keep him managed. But it should never be all up to you.”

“That’s more than generous.”

“I love you,” he says.

He’s said it twice. I haven’t said it back. I can’t remember the last time I said it to anyone. Can’t remember the last time they said it to me. It takes me a moment to realize that tears are tracking down my cheeks.

“I love you,” I say. “This is such a strange, miraculous thing. How is it that we could be made for each other like this? How is it that you’re here? That you’re mine.”

“I’ve been told that life has miracles in it. All the time. A lot of people told me it was a miracle that I made the kind of money I did. I guess that’s true. But it never felt like a miracle to me. This does. You’re the miracle that I’ve been waiting for, Avery Carmichael. I never knew what to say when people asked what brought me the most joy. I know they were looking for answers about all the money. All the luxury things I can afford and do. It’s you. You are my happiness.”

I lean my head against his shoulder, and this moment is like a trust fall. For both of us, I think. This deep certainty, that we are supposed to be together. That we’ll continue to be together.

That we can trust the love we found between us.

I know we can.

I love Caleb Flynn. As much as I ever thought I hated him.

But I think the real problem was, I never knew what love was supposed to look like.

And now I do. Thanks to him.

“Oh, Dove,” he says. “I’ve got plans for you today.”

“What are they?”

“I have a lot of meetings today. I’m going to sell this company off. So that I can travel with you. So that I can follow you wherever you need to go. To whatever school you want to go to, to your rodeos.”

I smile, because I’m not sure which of those things I’m going to do. Maybe all of them. Yeah. Maybe all of them.

“And you’re going to spend all that time tied up under my desk paying attention to my cock.”

I smile.

Oh yeah. I’m made for him.

Maybe this wouldn’t be everyone’s version of love. But it’s ours.

And that’s just right for me.