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He hung up and crossed to us in three quick strides, pulling Luca into a hug. “Hey, buddy. Are you okay? The school called, but I was in the middle of?—”
“I’m okay,” Luca said. “Mom took me for ice cream, and we talked about real moms and court stuff and why Tommy Morrison is stupid.”
Colby’s eyes met mine over Luca’s head, and I saw my own worry reflected there. “Court stuff?”
“Kids talk,” I said quietly. “Luca heard some rumors.”
His jaw tightened. “What kind of rumors?”
“The kind that make six-year-olds get in fights defending their families.”
Luca pulled back from his father’s embrace. “Dad, you didn’t marry Mom just because of court stuff, did you? Because I told Tommy that was dumb.”
Colby knelt down to Luca’s eye level, his expression gentle but serious. “I married your mom because I wanted her to be part of our family forever. Because I love her, and she loves us.”
It was a beautiful answer, one that satisfied Luca completely. But I caught the careful way Colby had phrased it, how he’d avoided saying he’d married me for love rather than legal reasons. The distinction was subtle but important, and it reminded me of all the uncertainty that still existed between us.
After Luca went upstairs to play, Colby and I stood in the kitchen facing each other across the familiar distance that had become our default.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For what you told him.”
“I meant it.”
“Did you?”
He moved closer, close enough that I could see those silver flecks in his eyes that mesmerized me. “Every word.”
“Even the part about loving me?”
He was quiet for a long moment, studying my face. “Especially that part.”
“Colby—”
“I know we agreed to stick to the arrangement. I know we decided what happened between us was a mistake. He reached up to cup my face in his hands. “I can’t pretend anymore, Gianna. I can’t pretend this is just convenience or proximity or whatever logical explanation we’ve been using.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I’m in love with you. Really, truly, completely in love with you. And it has nothing to do with custody casesor convenience or needing someone to help with Luca.” His thumbs brushed across my cheekbones. “It’s because you make everything better just by being here. Because you love my son like he’s your own. Because when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I want is to see your face.”
Tears spilled over despite my efforts to contain them. “What if you change your mind? What if when this is all over, you realize?—”
“I won’t.” His voice was fierce, certain. “I’ve spent three years fighting these feelings because I was too scared to risk losing you. But I’m more scared of living without you.”
“Colby . . .”
“I know I don’t deserve you. I know I’ve made mistakes with other women, pushed people away when things got real. But you’re not other women, Gianna. You’re the love of my life, and I was just too stupid to see it before now.”
Before I could respond, he kissed me. Not the tentative, questioning kiss from a few nights ago, but something deeper, more desperate. A kiss that tasted like hope and promises and years of suppressed longing finally set free.
When we broke apart, we were both breathing hard.
“I love you too,” I whispered against his lips. “I’ve loved you for so long I can’t remember what it felt like not to love you.”
“Then why are we fighting this?”
“Because I’m scared.” The admission came out broken, vulnerable. “I’m scared of being another woman you get tired of. I’m scared of loving you and Luca so much that losing you would destroy me.”
“You won’t lose us.” His forehead rested against mine, his voice quiet but steady. “We’re not going anywhere, Gianna. We’re home.”