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I noticed Dan’s hand curl around Maddison’s waist more tightly, pulling her closer to his side. It was sweet to see how protective Dan was of her. She was his world now and it showed. He loved her. I would always love Dan in a non-romantic way from now on because he now had his own source of sunshine and that came from Maddison. I had no right to cast a shadow over his sunshine. Not after everything he had done for me.

“Well, then, you definitely need to hit the streets. Maybe some dress shopping too.” I sent her a small wink and she immediately blushed. Glancing at Dan, his face said it all. There was no need for words.

“So have you two set a date?” I asked Dan and Maddison, while walking through the central square. Dan had his arm around her shoulders. I could get used to seeing him so happy.

“As soon as possible.” Dan kissed the top of Maddison’s head. “But it’s up to Maddie.”

“Smart man. I’d leave everything up to Chloe too.” Alec slung his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side. I have to say it felt right. “Otherwise, there is no controlling her.”

“Right.” I smirked up at him. “Because when don’t you let me get my way?”

“Exactly.” Alec winked back at me and pulled me closer to his side. Our eyes were locked, and for moments I scanned his eyes. For the first time I saw the love in his eyes, love for me. I doubted anyone else would have noticed our intimate moment. We both stopped walking, frozen by what we had seen in each other’s eyes.

Slowly he pushed the stray hair from the side of my face, not dropping eye contact as he gently cupped each side of my face and dipped his head. His touch felt right. In those moments, I felt complete. The sadness of the heartache I’d experienced melted away.

Each touch healed me. I was craving more contact. My hand ran through the back of his hair, bringing his lips closer to mine, but he didn’t charge forward to claim them.

Reassurance flooded me more and more the longer I held his eyes with mine. The noise of the market around us dropped away. It was as if the light had come on. No longer was I in the dark. I saw the man in front of me. I believed Alec realized the same thing in the same moment.

This was meant to be.

“Be with me.” His voice was a low whisper, the sweetness of his breath washing over my face. “I don’t want you to be my girlfriend.”

I slowly traced the back of his neck with a finger while the other was still lost in his hair. I knew he had more to say. In a sense I could feel it.

“Each step I take I want you there. You have given me feelings I had thought I would never feel again.” Alec’s voice was tender, and his hands were holding my face so our eyes couldn’t lose contact.

He wanted me to see the reassurance in them. He wanted me to see he meant every word and I did.

Slowly I leaned forward and brushed my lips against his. “Promise, now and forever.” My voice was so low, below a whisper. Only he could hear my words and he was the only one meant to hear them. I couldn’t let myself fall for someone who would leave, like nearly every other man had.

“Now and forever.” Then he claimed my lips. His were so soft and moist, and as our lips moved together, a feeling of bliss exploded inside of me. The fluttering of a realization took over my body. From now on I wouldn’t be alone.

Together we would face the world. So in the city center, Alec and I made out in front of everyone, as if no one was around. Because to us, we were by ourselves. In those moments, nothing else mattered.