“See, that’s the thing. You’ve been winning me over all along and I let what happened in my past and with Spencer hold me back. I saw him yesterday and I was pissed off and I was upset. And then I got thinking that everything a woman wants, I’ve got with you. That I was one damn lucky girl.”
“Again, you couldn’t tell me any of this?”
“I feel like all I do is apologize or tell you you are right. I’m still so scared to get hurt. It’s not just hurt, it’s an embarrassment. I just told you what happened at my last job. If we don’t last I’m going to be run through the gossip mill again. You know that. You have no idea how hard this is for me to accept. Everything is confusing and conflicting in my mind.”
“What is it you’re accepting? That we aren’t going to last? Because of what everyone says about me? Haven’t you learned enough about me to know the truth now?”
He looked hurt by her words. Not the first time that had happened either.
“Are you insecure about us too?” she asked quietly.
“Yes. I’ve been judged and labeled too. My whole life I’ve been that way. Not many thought I had what it took to be a doctor let alone an anesthesiologist. I worked damn hard to get here.”
“I know. You never let anyone know you are insecure though.”
“I guess that is a little like you too. Sometimes people don’t want others to see their weaknesses.”
“I don’t think there is much weak about you, Wyatt.”
He laughed. “I could say the same about you.”
“But I’m always saying I’m sorry or I was wrong,” she said, wiping her hand under her nose.
“That isn’t a weakness. That’s just being humble. Not many people can admit when they are wrong or sorry. But you can.”
“I can,” she said. “I’ve been wrong about you all along. Everything everyone says about you is wrong. You’re a great guy and you’re my guy.”
“I don’t know if everything that is said about me is wrong,” he said and pulled her into his arms. “There is a lot of truth to my flaws and I’m man enough to admit it. But you’re a great woman and you’re my woman. Are you going to make me say it first?”
“Say what?” she asked.
“You know.”
“I do. I love you, Wyatt. I’ve loved you for weeks and have been terrified to voice those words.”
“You haven’t been alone in that fear or those feelings. For weeks either. I love you too.”
She laid her head on his chest. “Going forward, no more hiding, running, or fears.”
“I’m always going to fear your cooking. Sorry. I don’t know what you might put in it and burn my belly.”
“Two things, Wyatt. Eggs and salsa. And you watched me make the salsa,” she said thinking of the time they bought the ingredients and he helped her chop everything.
“I only ate it for you. I couldn’t let you think I couldn’t handle it.”
“All I care about is if you can handle me,” she said.
“Every day,” he said. “That’s how much I want to handle you.”
“Then I’m all yours to do that.”
Epilogue
“That was a beautiful wedding,” Adriana said when they were back in the hotel room. “Payton looked stunning. Not that Bryce was too shabby in his tux.”
“Not too much for you?” he asked. “I know you were a little overwhelmed at my Aunt Jolene and Uncle Gavin’s house a few months ago for the summer party. A Fierce wedding is said to scare people away.”
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing. Family joke. Before Paige, Noah was dating someone and they got into a fight at one of the family weddings. She said it was wasteful and made a few comments about our family.”
“I couldn’t imagine that,” she said. “Your family is terrific. They’ve been so open and friendly and accepting. Even Jade has asked me to go shopping with her twice.”
She’d been shocked the first time it happened and agreed. Anything to make sure she was winning over Wyatt’s twin. By the end of the day she’d been exhausted though. The second time she’d been asked she was more prepared going in.
“My family is pretty great. So they’ve grown on you?” he asked.
“They have,” she said. “I even put a dress on. I don’t do that for many people.”
He laughed and unzipped the dress she was dying to get out of. “You looked lovely in it too. But I happen to like you in athletic gear. Not that you didn’t have some nice moves on the dance floor. I shouldn’t be surprised you can dance too. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Oh, there are plenty of things I can’t do.”
“But if you wanted to, you could,” he said, pulling his tie off as she changed into shorts and a T-shirt. She’d been thrilled to get her heels off, but pulling shorts on just felt like home to her.
“Just like you. You can do anything you want and prove everyone wrong who says otherwise. You can be funny and serious at the right time.”
“And I found someone who understands that about me,” he said. He was moving around in his suitcase pulling his clothes out, then a bag.
“You did find someone. You found me. Every day I’m going to remember that I left your office with my tail between my legs when I misunderstood your motivations. What’s that?” she asked of the brown bag in his hand.
“Just something sweet for you. You’ve got a sweet tooth always buying cookies and drinking smoothies. You’re my sweet and spicy girl. This is something for you to play with and suck on.”
“Oh,” she said. “I like sweet things I can play with and suck on.”
She was reaching for his pants when he stepped back and put the bag in her hand. She opened it up and
