"That's it? That's your plan?"
"Yeah. Why? You want something more complicated?"
"No. I'm just making sure you're not going to panic and run the second you leave here. You have a track record of overthinking and spiraling."
His hand tightens on my hip. "I'm not running."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure. I chose you, Everly. I meant that."
The certainty in his voice makes my chest warm.
"Okay," I say.
"Okay?"
"Yeah, okay. I believe you."
"You don't sound convinced."
"I'm cautiously optimistic."
He almost smiles. "Fair enough."
"I mean, you've given me a lot of reasons to be cautious. The whole hot and cold thing, the pushing me away, the?—"
"I get it," he cuts me off. "But I'm done with that."
"We'll see."
"You're going to make me work for it."
"Absolutely."
"Good. I'd be worried if you weren't."
We finish our coffee in comfortable silence, then Rush pulls me in for another kiss.
It's slower this time, deeper. His hands slide under the shirt I'm wearing, his palms warm against my skin.
When he pulls back I'm breathless and wanting.
"What was that for?" I ask.
"Because I wanted to."
"You keep doing that."
"Problem?"
"No, just noticing a pattern."
"Get used to it."
We show up at the clubhouse together that afternoon and the old ladies notice immediately.
Gráinne sees us walk in and her eyes go wide, Chloe grins like she won a bet, and Caoimhe nudges Ailbhe, who's heavily pregnant and glowing.