Page 70 of Dual Surrender

“I’d like to be in one piece when I do let Kevin come back home,” I said.

“It’s just a little day drinking, Ronan. Your liver can handle it.”

“Debatable.”

“Come over,” he said, using the voice that he normally reserved for Sam which brokered no argument, even from me.

“Fine,” I muttered.

“Fine.” Rich laughed at me. “Don’t dawdle.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Ew.” Rich ended the call, making him the second person to hang up on me before I’d even had my first cup of coffee.

Reluctantly, I forced myself out of bed and into the bathroom, taking a shower and using Kevin’s soap so I didn’t feel so lonely. I dressed alone, checking my phone for any texts from Kevin as I waited for my coffee to brew.

Nothing.

I took my coffee to the table, and that was when I found the note. A single piece of graphing paper from Kevin’s desk pad, folded in half and sitting in front of my usual chair. I sat down and flipped it open, recognizing Kevin’s precise and detailed block lettering, offering me exactly three lines of text.

My eyes welled up with tears when I read my name. Five letters of equal height, equal spacing, written with the meticulous care Kevin gave to everything in his life.

Ronan,

Anything you ask of me will always be yours.

Love, K

It was the confirmation I didn’t know I needed. The consent I should have asked for, but didn’t have the forethought to do. I folded the note back up and tucked it into my wallet, then dialed Kevin’s number on my phone. He answered on the third ring.

“Miss me already?” he asked, the tone of his voice betraying his feelings.

“More than life.”

“Did you get my note?” he asked.

“Do you mean it?”

“I’m at the airport, aren’t I?”

“Please don’t hate me for this,” I pleaded.

“I don’t. I won’t.”

“We’ll sort all of this, okay? Together, I promise. I just need to know you’re safe for now.”

“This is easy, Ronan,” Kevin said, words smooth and steady. “This is nothing you and I can’t handle.”

“Do you mean it?” I asked again.

“I love you,” he answered. “And I’m going to marry you in the summer, and I’ll always make sure you’re warm.”

“I don’t think I deserve you,” I whispered.

He chuckled in my ear. “Probably not, but you’re stuck with me now. Go spend the day with Rich. I’ll let you know when I get to Colorado.”

“Look at you, giving all these orders.” I sipped my coffee. “Are you the one in charge here?”