Page 119 of Exposing Colorado

Her breath stutters. She turns her head just enough to give me a glimpse of the anguish etched onto her features. “I don’t know if I’m brave enough to stop.”

“Then let me be brave enough for both of us.” My fingers brush her wrist, feeling her pulse jump beneath my touch.

“So, what, now you're back from the dead and we just pick up where we left off? Like nothing is different and our relationship didn't fail the first time?”

Those words make me pause just before my lips find her neck. “No. Everything is different now.”

Pulling away feels like ripping off my own skin, but I force myself to turn toward my suitcase on the breakfast bar. She peers over my shoulder as I pull out the manilla folder sitting on top. When I face her again, her fingers wrap tightly around a necklace under her shirt, gray eyes widening.

“Is that what I think it is?”

I nod and press the divorce papers into her palm. “Yeah. Signed and notarized. All that's left is for us to file when we get back home.”

Her grip twitches around them like she wants to toss them aside. I wouldn't blame her if she did. Almost hope she does. Hell, I don’t even know what I expected from this moment, just not this bone-deep pain. Not the finality of watching her stare down at a signature that says we couldn't make it.

Salem doesn’t say anything, nor does she cry. She just nods before turning away with a dull look in her eyes, and fuck, for the first time since I woke up, I wonder if giving her those papers was the right move to make.

“I’m not trying to corner you,” I say quickly. “I just… figured we should have the option to start over. If we wanted it.”

Her gaze snaps to mine, features clouded with uncertainty. “You really think we could do that? After everything?”

I stuff my hands into my pockets so she can’t see how bad they shake. “I don't know. I'm still figuring out who I am and so are you. But I know that I love you. I need you in my life. Maybe we can figure out who we are apart, but together at the same time? Let’s find out if there’s something here worth saving.”

“And if there’s not?”

A sad smile pulls at my lips. “Then at least we’ll know we tried.”

She stares at me for a long moment, still clutching that necklace with white knuckles. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It’s not,” I admit softly. “But I'm willing to try if it means you'll still be here with me.”

“God, I hate you sometimes.” She swipes at her damp cheek. “You’re so fucking optimistic. I swear you believe in fairytales. Life doesn't work that way, Logan.”

“I'm not asking for a fairytale, or even a happy ending, I'm just…” Trailing off, I look away and try to formulate my thoughts. “I'm asking you to believe in us. Whatever we are.”

Her features soften as the setting sun filters through the open windows. A war wages behind her eyes, hurt and hope battling it out for control. Slowly—almost hesitantly—she folds the papers in half before tucking them into her back pocket. “Just friends, then?”

Swallowing hard, I let my gaze fall to her mouth when she licks her lips. “Just friends who kiss, maybe? Because I'd really like to kiss you now.”

She lets out a husky laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously in love with you.”

Still, her fingers twitch at her sides like she’s debating whether to touch me or not. “If we try this again, Logan… you don’t get to ghost me. No more running. No more lies. We show up for each other.”

“I will.” It’s not a promise. I’ve made too many of those and failed miserably. This time, it's a vow, one as sure as the air I breath and the blood in my veins. “I’m right here.”

Always.

For a beat, neither of us speaks, content to gaze at one another.

Salem is the first to break move, slowly closing the space between us. Her hand lands on my chest, right over the spot where my heart should have stopped for good.

And then finally—finally—my wife presses her soft lips to mine.

I kiss her back tenderly, realizing that this isn't about starting over for us at all. When one door closes, another opens, so they say. This is about persevering. Choosing each other, no matter what. Which I will.

Even if the world tries its damndest to make sure we won't.