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He chuckled at my groaned words. “Don’t sound so excited about it, babe.”

“I don’t know shit about love or relationships. You know I’ll screw it up.”

“Not if I don’t let you.” He pressed a soft kiss to my mouth and muttered a curse over my split lip. “We’ll talk and share and shit. I’m told that’s how these things work.”

I felt like he’d lifted a huge weight I didn’t even know I’d been carrying. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure enough for the both of us. I know you’ll catch up.” He winked and gave his best panty-dropping smile.

“Because you’re so irresistible?”

He kissed my forehead and nodded. “Now you’re finally getting’ it. I knew you were more than a smart mouth and a hot bod.”

I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled out of me, or the screaming pain that tore through my ribs. “Ow, don’t make me laugh.” I cupped his face, unable to believe this man was mine. Loved me and wanted me to love him, too. “I do love you, but I’m terrified.”

“Me, too. But we’ll have each other, so we’ll be all good,” he said simply.

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Then I’m in.” And I was. Cash had given me something I didn’t think I would ever have again. Love. I would cherish it and nourish it every damn day.

Epilogue

Minx – 3 months later

I wish I could say I didn’t cry when my best friend said her

vows that bonded her to the love of her life, but I bawled like a big ol’ baby, which actually wasn’t all that unusual for me these days. Talon looked so beautiful in her ice blue wedding gown, her skin glowed from all the love and the baby hormones.

Their ceremony was beautiful and quick, just how the bride wanted it, and she’d only tolerated about thirty minutes of photos, which I also appreciated. “You could leave the dress on if you wanted,” I told her as I unzipped her.

“No way, I can’t wait to put on that beautiful dress you made.” She cast a glance at the blue maternity party dress I’d made as a surprise wedding gift when I was released from the hospital and cleared for movement. It took almost two months before all the bruises vanished and my ribs had healed. Sometimes I swear I could still feel it broken in there, but Cash and my therapist both said it’s all in my head. “How are you, girl, for real?”

I smiled at her in the mirror. “Getting better every day.” It was true, I was. At least once I left the cottage I started to feel a little better each day. I didn’t feel safe there, and Cash was more than happy to have me move in with him. “Do you think living with Cash is the right thing?”

Talon nodded. “Hell yeah! He loves you and you love him, but I’m guessing he knows how to help when you refuse to ask?”

“I needed to hear it. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m scared because it’s new for me or because it’s just scary.” I hugged her and then helped her into her dress and let her hair down. “Ready to celebrate?”

“Damn straight, babe!” She gave a little booty shake, and we went out into her backyard so the reception could officially begin, though everyone already had drinks in their hands.

I spotted Cash just as the first dance came to an end, and he came over to me. “Dance with me.” He pulled me onto the dance floor and then into his arms where I was happy to be.

I looked up at him, stars in my eyes. “I’m so happy I took a chance on a Boy Scout.”

He laughed and pulled me closer. “I think you mean an irresistible Boy Scout.” He dipped me and gave me a whisper-soft kiss, peeking over my shoulder at the newlyweds. “That will be us someday.”

I hoped with all my heart that was true. “Family, too?” I’d realized over the past few months just how badly I wanted that. Family.

He nodded and stole my breath with the intensity of his gaze. “Definitely.”

“You mean it?” I felt hope build and swell in my chest as I imagined us having a backyard barbecue with a few little kids running around us.

“Fuck yeah. We’ll start tonight.”

I was glad to hear that because I had news to share with him tonight. In bed. “I love you.”