Page 89 of Let's Be Forever

“Anna,meu bem, we can go as slow as you’d like. I just want you in my life again. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me.”

“We’re going to figure this out, okay?”

He nestles his face in the crook of my neck and breathes me in. “You have no idea how badly I wanted to hear this. I promise you won’t regret it.”

36

SYLAS

I can’t stop smiling.

She’s not made it official, but that doesn’t matter because we’re going to make this work.

“What changed your mind?” I ask as I pull back, still holding her hand because I can’t stop touching her.

“Your insistence wore me down.” She scowls, but I know she’s faking the annoyance.

“I told you I wasn’t giving up. I’m glad you finally came to your senses,” I tease, smirking.

I missed this—the banter, her smart-ass mouth, the way her lips twist and she stares at me like she’s inconvenienced by me. The way her whiskey eyes glimmer and ground me.

The corners of her mouth tug upward and she wistfully sighs. “I left with Jackson and I was sad it wasn’t you. It made me realize, it could have been with anyone days, months, years from now and I still would have hated that it wasn’t you. I wasn’t sure how we’d fix things. All I knew is that I wanted to be with you again.”

I know her admittance makes her anxious. She hates being vulnerable, having to concede to needing someone after doing itall alone. Even when we were together, she didn’t like my help, and she sometimes got annoyed when I’d do or pay for things. But I know that only happened because she’s used to doing everything all by herself.

That won’t happen anymore.

“I hate that you were with him.” I can’t help the tinge of jealousy that strikes my heart.

She huffs a laugh. “Nothing was ever going to happen. Just like it didn’t happen before.”

“Out of curiosity, for no reason whatsoever, who were they, and what are their numbers? I just want to talk to them.”

She’s beaming now, playfully swatting at my chest. “What about you? Have you been with anyone?”

I don’t want to bring it up, but I don’t want to lie to her either. “Once, but nothing happened. I tried to convince myself I could move on, but there was no moving on from you.”

“Wow, you’re such a romantic.” Her cheek twitches.

“I fucking missed you.” I grab and lift her, getting her to straddle me. I wrap my arms around her waist, hugging her tightly. “And your snarky humor, your smile, your voice, the way you feel and smell.”

I can hear her heart thundering. It races faster with every second that passes by. “I missed everything about you, and then I’d see Rosie and I…” She circles her arms around my neck and hides her face in the crook of it. “God, she looks so much like you.”

We stay quiet, holding each other until she pulls back.

Her brows are furrowed, and she stares at me like she’s deep in thought. “My room is bigger than yours.”

I grin. “It is.”

“I can’t believe you did that.”

I switched over to the guest bedroom the moment I suggested she move in with me. I wasn’t sure if it’d ever happen, but I wanted to be prepared.

“It’s surprising that you’re shocked. You know I like to be ready.”

“The berry-colored duvet makes sense.” She nods to herself, and a twinkle shines in her eyes.

“Your favorite color.” She’d always been specific about it. “I wanted you to feel comfortable and at home. You can do whatever you want to your room, and if you ever want to sleep in mine, you can. Until…yeah.” I kiss her shoulder.