Page 146 of Make Me Yours

Maybe that’s why it took me so long to see what was right in front of my face all these years.

When we pull into the underground garage, I blink, as if finally waking from a dream. Steele cuts the engine and turns toward me. His face might be the epitome of calm, but his eyes are filled with concern.

He reaches over, gently brushing a few loose strands of hair from my cheek. “Are you okay?”

“I am,” I say automatically, even though it’s only half true.

“Good.” He studies me for a beat. “I wish you would have told me what you were doing.”

I bite my bottom lip and hesitate. “I was afraid you’d try to stop me.”

“You’re right.” His jaw flexes. “I would’ve.”

The warmth of his fingers seeps into the side of my face as he cups my cheek, and I can’t help but lean into the touch, grounding myself in it. This man has always been a steadying presence in my life.

“All I’ve ever wanted is to protect you.”

“I know,” I whisper. “But you don’t have to. Not always. I’m strong enough to handle what life throws my way.”

He gives a small smile. “I know you are, baby. You’re the strongest woman I know. Strong enough to walk away from a career that didn’t make you happy. Strong enough to start over. Strong enough to fight for what you want.”

I study his face, every line of it carved with sincerity. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“When you told Chandra that you’ve loved me since college… did you mean it? Or was that just for the camera?”

He doesn’t blink. “I meant every damn word, Lilah. I’ve always loved you. I’ve always beeninlove with you.”

My world tilts sideways at the declaration. “Then why didn’t you ever say something?”

He exhales, the sound weary and full of regret. “You were always with someone else. And when you weren’t… I was too afraid to ruin what we had. If friendship was all you could give me, I’d take it. Because any version of you was better than none.”

Tears prick my eyes. “I love you, Steele. More than I ever thought I could love anyone.”

“I love you too, lucky charm.” He reaches for my hand. “Ready to go upstairs to our home?”

I nod, the weight of the day giving way to something warmer. Lighter. As we walk hand in hand to the elevator, a bubble of joy builds inside me. It’s bright and full of promise. Everything is finally falling into place. And that has everything to do with the man at my side.

The one who’s been there through every heartbreak.

Every misstep.

Every storm.

Steele has been the one constant through it all.

Inside the elevator, he wraps his arm around me, and I press against his side, inhaling the warm, woodsy scent that’s always had the power to calm me. Only now do I understand why.

Because he’s my home.

This man hasalwaysbeen my home.

We step inside the penthouse and find Waffles nestled on the couch. She lifts her head just long enough to acknowledge us before flopping back down with a sleepy meow.

The lingering aroma of dark roast and baked vanilla hangs in the air from this morning, but everything feels different now.

Settled.