Frank folded his arms. “You should be thanking me for that.”
“You really should,” I said under my breath, palming Ryan’s arse.
“Off you go,” Ryan said. “Mum’ll be back from the hotel now. Think how happy she’ll be to hear the good news.”
Frank straightened at that. “You’re right. June should know right away.”
After reaching over to slam the front door, he scampered off down the street. I watched him go, my lips twitching. “Is it just me, or is he a bittooexcited to go and visit your mum?”
“Oh, don’t say that.” Ryan winced. “I can’t think of the two of them together. That’s gross and weird.”
“Imagine if they got married.” Laughter rumbled up from my gut. “We’d be stepbrothers. How’s that for kinky?”
Ryan laughed far harder than I’d been expecting. “Sorry,” he said, wiping his eyes when he saw me eyeing him curiously. “I’ll explain why that’s so funny later.”
I rubbed a hand over my head sheepishly. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe your porch held up for as long as it did. On reflection, not one of my brightest ideas.”
I tugged him into my arms. “You were right though. It was romantic as hell.”
“I’m just glad you let me in.”
“Shadow, there was never a chance of that not happening.”
He grinned, looking almost giddy with happiness. “Hi, by the way.”
“Hi.” I nuzzled his throat, the same joy fizzing through me. “Welcome to my bedroom.”
“Thanks.” He fiddled with a button on my shirt. “I’ve been in here a few times.”
“You have?” For obvious reasons, I’d never brought Ryan here when we were together.
He nodded, not meeting my eyes. “I hope you don’t mind. Made me feel closer to you.”
“Of course I don’t mind,” I said fiercely, winding my arms around his back like I could make us one body through will alone. “I promise I’ll never be away long enough for you to miss me again.”
He kissed my jaw. My cheek. My temple. “Thank you for never giving up on us.”
“We don’t quit, Shadow. That’s not what we do. We’re fighters, and we keep fighting.”
30
Ryan
I did exactly what I’d been dreaming of since the moment Dom walked out of my flat. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him as tight as I could. Tucking my face into his neck, I breathed him in. “I’m sorry I made you wait, Dom. I wish I’d come to my senses earlier.”
“Seems fair, given how long you waited for me,” Dom murmured, rocking us slightly back and forth. “Still can’t believe you’re here, if I’m honest. How’d you even find me?”
“Max. Turns out he’s got you on Find My Friends.”
“You asked Max for help?”
I leaned back so I could see his face. “Yeah. But in the spirit of full transparency, it’s not the only way he helped today.”
“It’s not?”
“No. I’d already decided not to go through with the wedding, but there were…doubts in my mind still.” I hated the hurt that flashed through Dom’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Dom. I never should’ve doubted you. Us.”