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She blinked. “We need to tell Blake. She’s my friend too.”

“She’s my sister,” he said. “That’s on me.”

Silence stretched between them again. Settling.

“We’ll figure it out. No rush. No pressure.”

They fell asleep like that, with the Denver skyline glowing through the curtains and no space between them.

Chapter 17

The next day passed in a blur of sightseeing and laughter. Soft touches, hand holding, twirling, leaning in, sharing food. They were in deep. There was no turning back.

Brooks smirked. “You believe in fate?”

Taylor smiled, swinging their joined hands between them. “I believe God orders our steps… but we still have to choose to follow where He leads.”

He squeezed her fingers, nodding slowly. “And where do you think He’s leading you right now?”

She hesitated—not because she didn’t know, but because she’d spent so long denying herself permission to want more.

“Peace,” she said finally. “Real, undeniable, unshakeable peace.”

Brooks nodded like he understood that better than most. “What’s your hill when it comes to love?”

Taylor glanced up, thoughtful.

“I think love should feel like this. Like... fresh air. Even when it’s hard.”

Brooks studied her, expression unreadable. “And marriage? You doing that again?”

She laughed. “You’re really going there, huh?”

“I just wanna know what’s in that pretty little head of yours. You got us on Lovers’ Lane and shit. Holding hands.” He laughed.

She chuckled. “Yes, absolutely. But I’m in no rush to make another vow. Marriage is work.”

He let that sit for a moment. “Last question, Tay Marie. What about kids?”

She exhaled. “I used to think I wanted them. Then I convinced myself I didn’t.”

She paused.

“Because of him,” Brooks finished gently.

Taylor nodded. “After a while, it was clear bringing a child into that mess would’ve been a bad idea. And until I left, I thought I’d be stuck.” She looked at him. “That’s why I’ve been running. Everything happened so fast, I couldn’t catch my breath.”

She paused again, then added, “But I still believe in marriage. I’ve seen it be beautiful. God-ordained.”

“You wouldn’t be doing it alone,” he said, voice steady.

She smiled. “I know.”

“Do you?” she asked, turning the question back on him. “Want marriage, kids—all that?”

He nodded. “Yeah. One day. But I’m not pressed about it. I’m still learning how to share my life with someone… also.”

“You’d be a good father.”