Page 32 of More Than Words (Trickle Creek: The Lyons #2)

“You’re in every plan I make. Every moment of my day.

My every thought and feeling. Sometimes I think that you are all I consider.

And I hope like hell that you will accept my apology for not showing up for you when you needed me to.

” I looked into her eyes. “Please believe me when I tell you that I will spend from now until the end of time trying to make it up to you if you let me.”

I blew out a breath. Finished.

Delaney didn’t speak right away.

Her eyes searched mine, as if she were trying to see whether the words I’d just spoken were real or another charm-laced, meaningless promise.

But I didn’t look away. I couldn’t. I needed her to believe that I meant what I said. All of it and so much more.

Delaney

His hand was warm in mine. It felt like an anchor keeping me from floating away.

It was the tether to reality I needed, because in that moment, nothing seemed real anymore.

The counter.

The beer.

The setup on the floor just like our first night together.

The way he was looking at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

It was too much and exactly enough all at the same time.

“You really brewed a beer for us?” I asked softly.

“I did.”

“And you commissioned a front counter for me.”

A small smile twitched at the corner of his lips. “I’m going to owe Reid for a long time for that one.”

I wanted to smile, too. But I was still so unsure. “Thank you,” I said quietly. “For listening. For noticing.”

“Of course.” Ethan squeezed my hand. “I couldn’t help but notice that rickety counter.” He laughed a little. “You deserved so much more. You do deserve so much more.”

I glanced down for a moment, finding the courage to say what I needed to. “You hurt me.”

He sucked in a breath and when I looked up, I could see the pain all over his face. But he didn’t try to interrupt me.

“It wasn’t just about the patio,” I continued, trying to keep my voice level. “Or the noise level, or the customers, or how it would affect Plot Twist.”

He flinched. “I know.”

“You do?”

He nodded. “You trusted me, and I let you down.” Ethan reached for my other hand and pulled them together, taking a step toward me.

He pressed his hands to his chest. “If I could take it back, I would in a heartbeat. But I can’t,” he added softly.

“All I can do now is try to convince you that it was a mistake and it won’t happen again.

And show you.” He spun me a little to take in the romantic, and slightly cheesy, setup he’d created.

I laughed a little, despite myself. Because it was cheesy. But it was also the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. And the biggest part was, besides the table setup, he’d done it before our fight.

The beer.

The counter.

That stuff takes time.

He had considered me.

In the very sweetest way.

“You have shown me,” I said. “This is…”

“The most romantic thing you’ve ever seen?” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes,” I answered honestly. “And the beer isn’t half bad either.”

“Ouch.” Ethan pretended to be offended.

I dropped my eyes a little before looking up and meeting his gaze. “It’s delicious,” I told him honestly. “And the name…”

“You like it?”

“I love it. The first chapter is always so exciting. So full of promise and anticipation of what’s to come.”

“Like us?”

I tilted my head up to his and nodded slowly. “I hope so.”

He stepped closer until we were only inches apart.

“Delaney,” his voice was rough, “I need you to know that you matter to me.” He spoke slowly.

“You mattered then, and you matter now. So, so much. I screwed up, and I’ll probably do it again.

But I hope like hell you don’t give up on me.

” He released my hands and cupped my cheeks instead, holding me in place while he spoke the words directly into my heart.

“Because I am falling deeply and helplessly in love with you. And if you give me another chance, I promise I’ll make sure you see and feel exactly how much you matter to me. ”

My heart flipped in my chest, and a tear slipped down my cheek. “I’m scared,” I whispered truthfully, releasing the weight of it in my chest. “I’ve given too much once before and I lost everything. I can’t…”

“You won’t,” he said, his voice confident and strong. “Because this is different. It’s real.”

I believed him, because I felt it, too. The last few weeks without him had felt wrong, like I was missing a big part of myself.

After a moment, I nodded. “This is chapter one.”

The smile that took over his face lit me up inside. “And we have an entire book to write together, sweetheart.”

Then he was kissing me, and everything felt right again.

When he finally pulled back, I smiled. “You’re pretty cheesy for a beer guy.”

He laughed. “I believe the word you’re looking for is romantic. ” He took my hand and led me to the table in the middle of the room. But before I sat, he spun me into his arms one more time. “I meant what I said, Delaney. This is just the start of our story. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

I winked and bit my bottom lip. “Oh, I think I have a pretty good idea what will happen next.”

His eyes grew wide, and I laughed. “But first, how about another taste of that new brew? And that stew smells delicious.”