Page 49 of Secrets That Bind Us

I shake my head. “I am in love, Zo. In a weird way, we’re practically living together already.

He finds ways to be at the same places we are, brings things to the house, and hangs out with the kids.

We find ways to bump into each other so we can have dinner as a family.

Last week, we went to the community park where he was conveniently coaching.

He is so kind to the kids. He helped Sav with homework while I was on the phone with Eli about the grand opening next month.

Then, he built a fort with Noah in the living room.

Sometimes, he takes him outside and… I don't know. They sit on the porch looking out at the field. Just talking.”

My heart sinks that I haven’t told her we got a paternity test to confirm my suspicions, and Noah is one hundred percent his child.

Then again, I haven’t told her about my dreams, or…

anything else , really. Like how Savannah always looks at Dean like he hung the moon, and every day, it’s like she’s expecting me to tell her Dean is her biological father.

It breaks my heart because that look comes with something like longing. And so I tell her that bit, too.

All my best friend does is grin knowingly my way and lets out a chortle. “What’s Doc Archer have to say about all this?”

I sigh at the mention of the best therapist I’ve ever had. “Dr. Archer tells me I’m progressing wonderfully.” But Doctor Archer also doesn’t know about the fucking ghosts in my house that I’m steadily ignoring. “Asked me if I could see myself living here full time instead of leaving.”

Zoey eyes me curiously. “Can you?”

I lift a shoulder and let it drop. “At times. Especially with being able to work from home. I just feel bad for Eli and Jake. I miss the city. I miss being able to go for a walk around the block. I miss ordering groceries.”

She rolls her eyes in exaggeration, lashes fluttering. “You have ten acres. And Eli and Jake come visit more often than not. They may as well move here, too, now that the Ink Plot’s opening.”

I would shake my head, but she doesn’t know her biggest gift from me and Evan yet, and I won’t spoil that surprise. The music kicks up just as the bartender hands us our last shot of the night. We clink them together and tip them back just as the band starts playing Good Time.

Zoey grabs my arm, and I’m practically yanked off the barstool. “Oh my fucking God! Let’s go!”

I groan, as she pulls me into the lines forming. “Zo, I’m bad at line dancing!”

She laughs. “You know this one!”

I sigh, she’s right. I do know this one.

But I'm a little tipsy, and it’s been a while.

Soon enough, I’m letting myself follow her steps, laughing when I bump into her.

The song stops just as I was enjoying myself, and a slow song starts.

I hold out my hand, and Zoey takes it. We two-step clumsily from both the whiskey and me being rusty.

God, I haven't danced in ages . I try to remember the last time I danced, and it goes back to Dean. Always Dean. When the song’s over, we head back to the bar, where our seats are waiting for us.

We order two more drinks, and this time, we sip.

“I helped him, you know?”

A voice says. I blink at Zoey who’s gaze is steady on the person behind me. I stand and turn to face Tiffany. She looks older now. Tired. The kind of tiredness where life just hasn’t been good to you. The kind of tired you can feel in your bones until it hits your soul.

I know that kind of tired.

“I helped him. While you were off making your millions, I stayed and took him to physical therapy. I made sure he kept every appointment. I made sure he ate. I was there when he would cry for you. Me .”

Taking a deep breath, I really take the time to drink her in.

There isn’t malice in her eyes, just a deep sadness that makes the neons on the wall less blue.

Like she’s taken the hue all for herself.

I’m sure she isn’t expecting it, truth be told, I'm not either. I could blame it on the whiskey, but I throw my arms around her and give her a squeeze. “Thank you. I do know you did. He told me everything. And I just want to say thank you. You didn’t have to. I know you have a past. I know maybe this isn’t the way you thought things would turn out– but thank you. ”

I let go of her and keep my hands on her arms. She still looks stunned– shocked into a quiet, wide-eyed stare. She blinks and looks up just as I feel someone behind me.

“Can I have this dance?” His hands settle on the flare of my hips, and I turn, immediately putting my arms around him. I pull Dean into a hug so I can smell his woodsy and rainwater scent. It’s changed since we were teens, but he smells even better now. Masculine. Grown. Fuck, I love him.

“I love you.” I breathe.

“I love you, more.” He chuckles, and I can feel the rumble in his chest beneath the soft fabric of his shirt against my cheek. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Does it matter?”

“That depends. Can you dance with me?”

Feeling all kinds of warm, I nod. “Yeah.”

He leads me back out onto the dance floor, hand on the small of my back, the other in his paw of a hand. He leads us around the old, sticky dance floor, and I get to hold onto my dream. “Wait. Where are the kids?” I ask, looking up at him, finally taking him in. God, he’s breathtaking.

He smiles down crookedly at me, dimple deep, oceanic eyes glittering.

The storms in them have calmed. “Noah passed out, and Savannah’s painting.

Evan told me to come get you. Apparently Zo texted a while ago– said you both have had enough socializing for the evening.

But I couldn't resist spinning you around. Sweep you off your feet for a little while.”

“You sweep me off my feet all the time, Dean Carson.”

“Is that right?”

I inhale his scent once more and sigh dreamily. “Yeah. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Carson. You know that’s what the C in Verity C. Huntington is?”

He stops dancing as couples around us keep going, stage lights still twirling. He stares down at me. “Verity…”

I can’t help it. Tears fill my eyes as I stare up at the tenderness in his gaze. Since that night he asked if my soul called out to his, it’s like my tear ducts started working again.

He cups the back of my head just as his lips crash down to mine.

Our lips part to accept the other in a kiss so full of fire, I can feel how it sends fissure-like sparks shooting down to my core and throughout every extremity, reaching my fingertips only to race back to my heart.

We part, and I say the truth I've been holding onto for years. “It will only ever be you. I carried you with me and never let you go. I will never let you go, Dean. You fucked me up.” I admit on bated breath, as the soft music continues. But it’s just us on this sticky dance floor.

It’s just me and him, and the twirling bodies around us have disappeared.

My heart will forever beat for him and him alone.

He swallows, eyes searching mine. “You have to marry me, Verity. Please. I love you. I can’t keep living like we’re friends.

I can’t and don’t want to be a secret to the kids.

I want us. Everything that comes with us.

Tell me yes. We’ll talk to the kids. I’ll be there every step of the way.

We’ll navigate it all together like we should’ve always done.

I know I said your pace, but I don’t think I can wait anymore.

Please, Verity. Make me the happiest man in the world and tell me you’ll marry me.

This isn’t how I planned it, and I promise I’ll do another proposal in front of the kids to set an example, but please, baby. Please say you’ll marry me.”

It’s so simple, and yet, it’s everything. Because this is us. Hurried and frenzied and crazy, but only the kind of crazy we can understand. “ Yes .”

He crashes his lips to mine again and kisses me until I’m dizzy.

It’s not the whiskey. It’s all Dean. The way he kisses, the way he smells, the way he loves me so brutally it would scare anyone who isn’t us.

“I need to get you home. I need to fuck you until we’re both raw and sweaty.

” He hurries. “I’m gonna tie your hands to the fucking headboard, and pound your pussy till you see stars, baby. ”

I giggle breathlessly, still dazed– that warmth shooting back down to my pussy. I want him to lick it. God he eats pussy so good. I don’t want to think how he got so good at it so instead all I say is- “Okay.”

He grabs my hand, whirling me one last time, and the world comes back into focus. The faces of our friends, the people we went to school with, and strangers peering at us.

Zoey grins a big, flashy grin, like she knows exactly what just transpired as we make our way back to her. She hands me a new shot of whiskey, and she raises it to me. “Congratulations?” she asks.

I smile broadly, clinking mine to hers and nod. Before I tip the glass back, Dean leans down and whispers. “That’s the last one. I don’t want you to blackout mid-fuck. I want you to remember every throb of my cock when I come deep inside your gorgeous pussy.”

I melt. I’m melting. I knock the drink back and grab their hands. “Y’all ready?”

Zoey laughs. “Let’s go so you can get laid, girlfriend. Kiddos can stay with me tonight.”

And that’s exactly how your best friend stays your best friend for seventeen years.