"But you said you can't stop doing what you love just because I'm uncomfortable."
"I honestly don't know if I can give up skydiving or the other things I like, but I'm willing to try if you'll give us another chance."
Pursing her lips, she shook her head again. "I don't want you resenting me. And I don't want you to change. I'm not saying give them up completely, but if I have what I feel is a legitimate concern about something you want to do, I want to feel like my voice is being heard."
He stood, eager to hold her. "I promise I can do that."
"But still, we're so different. You're adventurous and I'm cautious. You're fearless and I'm so not."
"We balance each other out. And we're not that different, not on what really matters." He crossed to her, slow footsteps, but he was ready to crawl if he needed. "I've gotten you to try some new things and you've filled an emptiness that's been inside me my whole life. When I left Tiffany yesterday, I came to you because my heart knew what it needed. The guys have said they've seen a difference in me. That's you."
"You're going to make me cry."
"I'd like it better if you kissed me instead." He traced a fingertip down her face.
She captured his hand. "Wait. Let me say something. You know I'm a champion worrier. I can't promise that I won't ever worry about the things that made me run scared and end the best relationship I've ever had, but I'll keep trying to get better. I fell in love with you just as you are. There's something special between us. Being without you hurts too much. I can deal with any amount of worrying as long as I have you."
He clasped his other hand to her hip and drew her against him. As soon as their bodies lined up, he felt complete. All his apprehension, all his anxiety let go. This was right. Just this. "Being with you is a rush all on its own. And it's the only one I'm addicted to."
She kissed his palm and pulled him closer. Her hand slid to his neck and she held him tight as he brought their lips together. He angled his mouth and she followed. He deepened the kiss, savoring her taste and the feel of her body against his. If he could go on kissing her forever, he'd be a happy man.
Too soon, she leaned back. Smiling, she traced her fingers over his cheek. "I love you, Slade. You're the only one for me."
I love you.
The words stamped themselves across his heart. His eyes burned and tears formed colorful prisms in his eyes. A few spilled over when he blinked them back, and Savanna brushed them away. "I never heard that growing up. Never until Dom, Adam, and Liam. Up until now, they're the only ones I've said that to. But I've wanted to say it to you for weeks. I love you, Savanna. More than I thought I could love anyone."
Her eyes watered. She sniffed and laughed while he wiped them away. And then he went back to kissing her. They held each other in the beam of sunshine, soaking in the warmth of their love.
A few hours later, he and Savanna arrived at Tiffany and James' house. Talking with Liam well into the night, and then Savanna that morning had helped him see more clearly and objectively. He didn't blame Tiffany. He couldn't. Life hadn't been kind to her either. Her actions had been based in love.
Tiffany led them into the sun room and chose the chair, leaving them the couch. She smoothed her skirt and then cleared her throat. "Thank you for coming back. I've been thinking so much about what you told me. I'm so sorry for all you went through. I wasn't strong enough at twenty-two to fight for you and I've always regretted it. Can you ever forgive me?"
Holding Savanna's hand, he squeezed and waited for the reassuring press of soft fingers. "There's nothing to forgive. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you. I had time to think too. I'm glad you got away from your abuser. I didn't like thinking about you and Melanie and the kids being in that environment."
Smiling, she folded her fidgeting hands on her lap. "Thank you. It took me a long time. I didn't leave until I was thirty. I used to wish that life had turned out differently, but if it had, I might not have Melanie, Chloe or Caden."
He wouldn’t wish any of them away. "If life had worked out differently, then maybe I wouldn't have ended up playing baseball, or meeting Liam, Dom, and Adam. I wouldn't have met Savanna. And I can't imagine my life without them. I think life worked out the way it was supposed to."
Tiffany wiped her eyes. "I found James again after all those years. And we found you. You have no idea how happy I am that we found you."
"It's a fresh start for everyone." He embraced Tiffany. The past was in the past. He was ready to focus on the future.
Texts from Dom, Adam, and Liam had fired up his phone during the visit with Tiffany. He passed it to Savanna when they were on their way home. "What's going on with the crew?"
"They're all asking how you are, how the visit went, and the last from Liam was that everyone is in your apartment, so we should meet them there."
He grinned. "I like having a full house."
"I know you do." She reached over the console and patted his thigh then let her hand rest there.
They walked into the apartment and a chorus of greetings tumbled together along with two distinctive barks that meant Dom and Adam had brought their dogs.
Slade stepped halfway in front of Savanna, ready to intercept the huge beasts. They barreled into him, jumping
