Page 33

“I ’m in love with Grant Maddox.”

I know it. I’ve known it.

And yet, somehow, saying it out loud to anyone but myself feels impossible.

I sit on my couch, legs folded under me, staring at my phone like it might hold the answer. Like if I just wait long enough, the universe will give me a sign.

But the universe is silent.

I let out a slow breath, rubbing my hands over my face.

This should be easy. It should be simple.

But it’s not.

Because loving him means risking everything.

It means trusting that this won’t just be another thing I lose.

And I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

My phone buzzes.

Talia.

I hesitate, then swipe to answer.

“Tell me you’re not still sitting there overthinking this,” she says without preamble.

I sigh. “I plead the fifth.”

She groans. “Kenzie, what exactly are you afraid of? Because this man clearly worships the ground you walk on.”

I bite my lip. “I just—what if this doesn’t last?”

She scoffs. “What if it does?”

I blink.

Because I didn’t expect that.

“Babe,” Talia continues, softer now. “You’ve spent your whole life running before something can hurt you. But what if this time, you don’t have to?”

My chest tightens.

Because I want to believe that. I really do.

But fear is a funny thing.

It sneaks in when you least expect it, whispering in the back of your mind, reminding you that good things don’t always stay.

That people leave.

That love can turn into loss.

I don’t realize I’m silent for too long until Talia sighs.

“I get it,” she says, her voice softer now. “But at some point, you have to decide. Do you want to keep protecting yourself from something that might never happen? Or do you want to actually live?”

I swallow hard.

Because she’s right.

And that’s the scariest part of all.

Because I’ve done this before—fallen for the wrong person, convinced myself it was nothing, and let it all blow up in my face. And when it did? Jake was the one who helped me pick up the pieces. He didn’t say I told you so. He didn’t push. He just sat with me while I broke, then reminded me how to stand back up.

But this? This doesn’t feel like that.

This doesn’t feel like falling.

It feels like choosing. Like trusting. Like opening the part of me I’ve always kept locked up—and handing it to someone who might actually deserve it.

And that? That’s a hell of a lot scarier than falling ever was.

I’m still sitting on the couch, Talia’s words looping in my head, when there’s a knock at my door.

I freeze.

My heart lurches into my throat.

Because somehow, before I even stand up, I know who it is.

I swallow hard, pushing to my feet. My body moves on autopilot, but my brain is a mess.

This can’t be happening right now.

Not when I’m still trying to figure out what the hell I’m supposed to do with these feelings.

Not when I’m still terrified of saying them out loud.

I hesitate for half a second before unlocking the door and pulling it open.

And there he is.

Grant Maddox.

Standing on my doorstep, hands braced against the frame like he needs it to steady himself.

Like he’s just as much of a wreck as I am.

His eyes find mine, dark and determined.

“I need to talk to you.”

My pulse stutters.

Because he doesn’t say it lightly.

His voice is low, rough—like he’s been thinking about this just as much as I have.

Like he’s already made up his mind.

And maybe—maybe I have, too.

I step aside, and he walks in, the air between us thick with something heavy.

Something inevitable.

And I already know—

Nothing will be the same after this.

The second the door clicks shut behind him, the air tightens.

I stand frozen, arms crossed, heart hammering, watching Grant pace like a man with too much energy to contain.

He runs a hand through his hair, then turns to me—dark eyes locked in.

“I love you.”

My breath catches.

There’s no preamble. No build-up. Just three words that slam into me with the force of a goddamn freight train.

My pulse roars in my ears. Because this is it. This is the moment I’ve been afraid of. And he’s standing there, looking at me like he’s never been more sure of anything.

Like he’s just been waiting for me to catch up.

I don’t realize I’m gripping the hem of my shirt until my knuckles turn white.

I should say it back. It’s the truth.

But instead, my voice comes out small, shaky.

“What about Olivia?”

Grant doesn’t even blink.

“What about her?”

I exhale sharply. “This isn’t just about us, Grant. You have a daughter. You have—”

“A life,” he finishes for me. “Yeah. And I want you in it.”

I stare at him, my stomach flipping.

It’s so simple for him. So matter-of-fact. Like the answer has been there all along, just waiting for me to see it.

I swallow. “I just—”

“I know you’re scared, Kenz.” His voice is low, steady. “I get it. But I’m not asking for a maybe. I’m not asking for a half-answer.”

He takes a step closer, his presence all-consuming.

“I love you. And I’m all in.” His voice drops even lower. “The only question is—are you?”

My chest tightens.

Because I am.

I know I am.

But the fear still lingers—the what-ifs, the doubts, the walls I’ve spent my whole life building.

And Grant?

He’s asking me to let them all go.

My chest is tight.

Everything in me is screaming to run.

Not because I don’t love him. I do.

But because this is the part where it gets real.

The part where I can’t hide behind flirty banter or casual hookups or pretending this is anything less than what it is.

Everything.

Grant watches me, his gaze steady, patient, but unwavering.

He’s not going to push. He’s not going to beg.

Because that’s not who he is.

He already made his choice.

And now, he’s waiting for me to make mine.

I take a shaky breath, my fingers pressing at my sides. “What if this all goes up in flames one day?”

Grant’s jaw flexes, like he hates that I even have to ask.

“It won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

He exhales, stepping in closer. “I know I love you.”

I blink fast, my vision blurring.

“I know I wake up thinking about you. I go to bed thinking about you. I know that every single time I see you, I want you more than the last. I know that I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you.”

His voice drops, rasping with emotion.

“I know that even when I was trying not to fall for you, it was already too late.”

Tears sting my eyes.

Because I feel the exact same way.

I just never thought I’d have it. Never thought it would be mine to keep.

“Grant…” My voice is barely a whisper.

He lifts a hand, brushing his knuckles over my cheek. Soft. Sure.

“I don’t want perfect, Kenz. I don’t need guarantees.” His fingers trail along my jaw, sending shivers down my spine. “I just need you.”

And that’s it.

That’s the moment.

The one where my fear loses.

The one where I finally let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—this could be real.

I exhale a shaky breath. “I love you.”

His eyes flash.

Like hearing it was all he needed.

Like I just gave him the world.

He doesn’t speak. Doesn’t need to.

Because the next second, his mouth is on mine.

And just like that, I know.

This is it.

This is home.