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“Yeah, I do.”

“Okay, but I hurt you.”

“Yes, and I hurt you too. And I’m also sorry.”

“You have nothing, fucking nothing, to be sorry for,Olivia. I dragged you into this.” She rolls her eyes and steps back. Fuck, it stings.

“It’s not for you to decide when I’m ready to forgive you, Austin. That’s not how this works. It’s not how this is going to work. I decide. I make my own decisions and I make my own choices.”

“Okay, well what’s your choice then?”

“You’re forgiven. I love you, and I want to be with you here. We can start fresh. From what Danny has told me, you can work remotely or you can build a second farm out here, or we can even split our time between here and Seattle. I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you, because I choose you, I don’t want anyone else. I’ve met a lot of people this last month or so-”

“Wait,” I interrupt, “what do you mean?”

She sighs, softening slightly, allowing me to pull her back in between my legs.

“Yeah Austin, I met a lot of people, I’ve been asked out a few times. And honestly? I was tempted to say yes sometimes because it meant I might have a chance at getting over you and not feeling so shit all the time.”

I groan and lift my chin up to the sky, trying to compose myself, but she ignores me.

“But I didn’t feel anything for anyone, so no, I didn’t actually go on any dates. No excitement or joy, or spark of attraction. And they were hot, Austin. Like, model hot. Beefcakes that could keep up with me on a workout.”

I still can’t look at her, but I sigh. “No one can keep up with you on a workout; you’re a machine.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay fine, they couldalmostkeep up.”

I grin finally dipping my head down so I could nuzzle into her neck.That’s my girl.Now I just need to find out these fuckers’ names.

“Are we just going to skip past the fact that I told you I want you to move here?”

“I’m just reveling in it for a minute.”

“Take your time. I’ve only been waiting for nearly a month.”

I tilt her chin up and run my thumb over her cheek. Her lips are so pink and pretty. It’s been so long, I never thought I’d be this close to her again.

“Austin?” She frowns.

I smile, kissing her gently. Our lips mold together as I cup her face, my fingers tangling in her hair.

“Olivia Daniels. I’ll do whatever you want. If you want me to stay in Seattle for the rest of my life, miserable and alone, I’ll do it if it means you are happy without me. I would watch all your fucking videos over and over until I memorize every single one, just so I could keep a part of you with me. So when I hesitate to say I’ll move here, it’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because I want this to be your choice, your decision. Coming here wasn’t meant to ambush you.”

“What’s a little ambush between boyfriend and girlfriend?” she whispers before squinting up to the sky to think. “It’s almost as forceful as kidnapping someone rather than having a conversation, don’t you think?”

I draw her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles; tears glisten in the corners of her eyes. I continue, “I want you to be the best version of yourself. If that means that I can be with you, I’d be ecstatic, I’d be fucking yelling it from the rooftops and then I’d probably call Alfie and ask him to calm me down. But yeah, I’d move here, I’d do anything for you because you’re the love of my life, Olivia. I love you, I’m in love with you. Fuck, for the love of all things holy, tell me your new place has a basement?”

She laughs, throwing her head back before I catch a stray tear falling down her cheek.

“No basement, I’m afraid.”

I nod. “Okay...I’ll get a shovel tomorrow. I’ll dig one for you.”

“How about you just stay with me?” She kisses my lips,her hands pulling at my shirt.

“In your bed? Outrageous. What would your brother think?”

“Given that he forced your ass down here, I’d say he was cool with it.” Her fingers reach the nape of my neck, and she tugs my hair gently. I pull her in, crushing her body against mine.