Page 180 of Micah

Dangerously familiar.

Like my body has decided it knows exactly where it belongs long before my heart has had the chance to catch up.

I don’t know how many seconds I’ve been standing there just staring back at him, but I know I have to say something.

“Morning,” I say softly.

He looks at me like I just said something extraordinary.

Like one simple word somehow made his whole day.

Neither of us moves. Not at first.

Then, he's crossing the porch in three long strides.

His hands come up to cradle my cheeks with a tenderness that steals my breath.

For just a heartbeat, he searches my face.

Almost like he's making sure I'm really here.

Then he kisses me.

Warm.

Gentle.

Certain.

The kind of kiss that says I missed you. The kind that makes my toes curl inside borrowed socks.

When he finally pulls back, we're both smiling.

“There,” he murmurs, resting his forehead against mine for a second. “That's better.”

Then he presses a quick kiss to my forehead.

The gesture is so unexpectedly sweet that I feel my heart melt all over again.

He slips an arm lightly around my back and guides me inside as naturally as if we've been doing this for years.

Inside, Bit lets out a loud wolf whistle.

“Woo! About damn time!”

“Oh my God,” I mumble, hiding my face against Micah's shoulder.

Esme is already laughing as she pours fresh coffee into three waiting mugs.

“Told you he'd figure it out, eventually.”

“Took him long enough,” Bit says.

Micah sighs dramatically.

“I can hear you both.”

“We know!” both women answer together.