Page 61 of Better Together

“Hi.” She rushed on. “I’m not sure if you’re in town, but I need to talk to you. Is this a good time?”

“Sure, Alexis. It’s good to hear your voice.”

Surprised and elated, she continued, “I’m sorry, Zeke. I let fear dictate my actions. I know I don’t deserve another chance, but I sure hope you’d consider letting me explain and show you how much I love you.”

“You . . . love me?”

“Yes. I’ve been in love with you since we were teenagers.”

“Wow. I wish I had known. I was kind of an idiot back then.”

“It’s probably better that you didn’t know. I think we needed to go through the experiences we did in order to appreciate each other now.”

“Then it’s a good thing.”

“What is?”

“That I rushed back to be with you.”

The kitchen door opened, and in walked Zeke, sexy as ever with his hair mussed and his goatee still gracing his strong jaw—minus the added beads from his Jack Sparrow costume.

Their phones still to their ears, they stepped closer together.

“So, you love me, huh?” Zeke’s dimple was on full display.

Alexis pressed end, placed her phone on the island, and walked into his outstretched arms.

He whispered into her ear, “I love you too. I couldn’t wait to get home.”

Zeke kissed the crown of Alexis’s head as she rested it against his chest. “I shouldn’t have left, but when Luke called and asked me to take one last security assignment involving Mandy Blake, I was torn. Mandy was nervous and asked for me.”

Alexis stepped back. “So, are you going to run off whenever Mandy Blake needs to feel secure?”

Zeke took her hands in his. “No. In fact, she’s actually a romantic at heart and encouraged me to come back to Deer Creek Falls and fight for you. Not that I needed any encouragement.”

“You didn’t?”

“I will always run back to you no matter where I am. Please believe me when I tell you she and I never had anything going on. She was my client, and that’s all she’ll ever be. Besides, I would never have heard the end of it if I didn’t come back and make things right with you.”

“How so?”

“I had calls from both Maggie and Ethan telling me how disappointed they were in me.”

“They didn’t.” Alexis grinned.

Zeke nodded.

Alexis seductively unbuttoned her plaid shirt and shrugged her arms out of the sleeves. Zeke rushed forward, their mouths connected in a frenzy of kisses, and he carried Alexis to the bedroom.

* * *

Alexis stood next to Zeke, looking at the Elmhurst house. “How do you feel?” Zeke asked.

“You mean about earlier or about the house?” She smiled.

“I know how you felt earlier.” He hugged her close.

“I’m pleased at what we’ve accomplished.”