Page 140 of Cross Ice

“We can go.”

“No. It’s fine.” I took a breath. “This is what we’re doing now, right? Not hiding.”

“Only if you’re ready.”

I looked at him. At the concern in his eyes, the way he was checking in even as people documented us.

“I’m ready,” I said.

And I was. Terrified, hyperaware, heart racing, but ready.

I’d put this man through hell for weeks. He’d stayed anyway. He’d finally asked for what he needed and given me space to figure out if I could give it.

“I talked to Wesley yesterday,” I said. “He helped me figure some things out.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. And I’ve been asking myself the wrong question.”

“What question?”

“I kept asking if I could do this. If I could survive it. If I could handle being visible.” I took his hand. “But the real question is if I want this. If I want you. If I want a life with you even when it’s hard.”

Nico stilled. “And?”

“And I do. I want you. I want us. I want all of it.” I squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry it took me so long to figure that out.”

He pulled me close and kissed me again. Longer this time. Someone said, “Ooh!” Someone else wolf-whistled.

I didn’t care.

“That… that means everything.”

We walked away together, hand in hand, while people took photos, posted them online, and made us part of the public record.

And for the first time since this whole thing started, I didn’t feel like I was drowning.

I felt like I was choosing.

Choosing him. Us. This life.

And that made all the difference.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Nico

Evan followed me inside my house, and before I could say anything, he kissed me.

Not tentative. Not questioning. Just kissed me like he meant it.

When he pulled back, I was breathing hard. “What was that for?”

“Because I wanted to.” He smiled. “Because I can.”

“Yeah,” I said, pulling him closer. “You can.”

I didn’t want to let go yet, but there were things I needed to understand. We moved to the family room couch, and I kept his hand in mine.