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And as she smiles at me with tears shining in those beautiful eyes, one thought keeps circling through my head.

I just found her again.

And this time?

We're going to have the life we should've had before everything went south and I screwed up the best thing that ever happened to me.

Because those three years?

Three years without her.

Three years of punishment.

Three years of regret.

They’re over now.

And somehow—by some miracle—she's back.

Still loving me.

Still choosing me.

“I'm never leaving you again,” I swear.

“Good,” she whispers with a watery laugh.

“Because I'd probably kill you this time.”

And for the first time since the accident—I laugh.

Really laugh.

Then I kiss her again.

Slower this time.

Savoring.

Because tonight isn't about fear.

Or stalkers.

Or death.

Tonight it's about us.

And before another second passes—before another disaster can steal our moment—I'm finally going to tell her why I left.

Even if she hates me afterward.

Because she deserves the truth.

And for her?

For my Amanda?

My Rusty?