I winced and she held up a hand.
“That doesn’t even matter to me as long as you know the deep-down truth, which is that if I lost you forever, I would be losing everything. Do you know that?” Her brow was dropped, and she searched my face for any kind of clue.
I nodded and wiped the tears because I could actually feel the sincerity flowing off her in waves. I mattered that much to her. Me. “I can identify. When you walked out the door, I felt like my whole heart got up, left the room, and flew to Seattle.”
“Biggest mistake of my life and not one I’ll ever make again. Where you go, I go, if you ever give me that opportunity again.” She kissed the back of my hand. “Because nothing in life shines without you there.” She let go of my hand and took a step back. “And it’s not something you have to decide now or today or next week. We can take our time. We can—”
“I want an us. And I should have wanted us regardless of where you lived. I should have been stronger. I should have fought for what mattered. Not geography, but you. I was a jerk, and I’m so sorry for the way I acted. I clearly have a few insecurities to work on. But I want us. I do.”
She went still, mid-gesture. Silence. “Are you sure you know that?” She was clearly prepared to work to convince me, to put in her time. For a moment, I imagined her wooing me with gestures. Courting me slowly, properly. But this was a two-way street, and that wouldn’t be fair. It’s also not what I needed. She was.
My tears welled again. “I miss you so much. And you came back. I didn’t expect that.”
“I had to. You were here.”
I grinned. “And let’s be honest. Micky was.”
She laughed. “Definitely part of the package. You’re lucky I wasn’t camped outside your apartment with a thermos of spiced rum and a poster board that said Love me.”
I softened, took a moment. “Well, I do love you.”
She exhaled, and this time it was Carrie who lost the battle to tears. “Yeah? Because I love you so much and want to wake up every morning and look into your eyes and say it. I will spend my life trying to make you happy, Skyler. I never want you to doubt my feelings ever again.”
“Yes, please. Does that mean biscuits in a sexy robe?”
“At least every weekend. And I may be ahead of myself, but do you really need your apartment? I have tons of closet space and am willing to share.”
I paused because a family of four walking by was very interested in our conversation and heading our way.
“Big fans. Can we get a photo?”
I laughed and looked to Carrie, both of us a pile of emotion. “I feel like this might be a moment worth documenting.”
We stood together and smiled with the family. “I can’t believe we’re meeting both of you,” one of the moms said. “Our favorite newswomen.”
“Can you send me that photo?” I asked, realizing it had captured a true moment. I gave her my work email. I wanted to remember today.
The woman brightened. “Of course! Enjoy your night.”
I turned back to Carrie, alone again. “So you wanna shack up, huh?”
“In a heartbeat.”
“Well.” I slid a strand of hair behind my ear, enjoying the way she watched me do it. “Why don’t we eat and flirt and banter and talk about the amazing quality of the food and then take it from there? Also, that’s code for likely yes. Let’s just check a few boxes first.”
She didn’t hesitate. She kissed me like a pro in that very parking lot, and not just a quick one either. I leaned back against the car, and she melded herself to me right there in public. Everything was right with the world. I hadn’t been breathing until this moment, holding my breath until we were back where we were supposed to be. The air here was wonderful, plentiful, and the best kind of high.
“Mmm. What about a fast dinner?” I asked around the kiss. “I’m a speedy eater.”
“I vote for that. Appetizers?”
“Well, we’re not skipping dessert. How about dessert followed by…another kind of dessert.”
“You have the best brain. And lips. Come here.” The woman I loved leaned down and kissed me silly up against a car in a restaurant’s parking lot in a city in which we were both well-known. She wasn’t afraid or ashamed to do that, to pick me, to love me in front of the whole world, and that made my heart swell immensely.
After the fastest consumption of scallops and a flourless chocolate cake with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, we were back at her place in bed, battling for control.
“You’re a tiger tonight,” Carrie whispered, as I tossed the white sweater dress over my shoulder and stared down at her in the pale blue bra and panties that were about to be next. “And I’m not complaining at all.” She was right. My newfound confidence guided me forward as I worshiped her body. Slowly, deliberately, and without a shred of trepidation. We were an us, and I had this firm inkling that we always would be. There were just some things in life that felt right. You knew when that click of perfection happens, and that night, everything fell into its rightful spot beneath the watchful eyes of the fates and the stars. Our click. Hell, I even sounded like a sappy romantic but wouldn’t change a thing. We made love more than a few times that night, savoring the excitement and celebration that came with a reunion.
“I love you,” I whispered in her ear when we cuddled up in a sliver of moonlight.
“Never stop,” she said, covering my arms with hers. “Because nothing shines without you. Remember that.” She leaned back and kissed me softly. “I love you so much, Skyler Ruiz.”
I smiled, fulfilled from outside in and looking forward to every single day ahead. Judgment and scrutiny at work? Bring ’em on. I had something wonderful to come home to. A punch in the face? Lay it on me. Didn’t matter.
I had Carrie and she had me.
Epilogue
Strawberries in the summer hit the spot. Strawberries tossed into a pitcher of lemonade exploded with flavor. Strawberry cake? Excellent. Milkshakes were even better. That’s why the Peak of Berries Festival in the small town of Tanner Peak was a true celebration, especially now that I could simply enjoy the festival as an attendee and not have to cover the event. Eat the food. Play the games. Stroll the stroll.
Speaking of work, Carrie had just wrapped shooting a segment for The Secret Sauce underneath the festival pavilion in front of a live audience. The show had really taken off. Her viewership was through the roof, blowing past expectations, which offered the show a much bigger budget, and an up-front order for more episodes.
“Good God. Did you see the size of the strawberry milkshake? It has cake coming out the top,” Carrie asked, coming down the steps. “It was so good, too.” She shook her head in wonder. “This festival is insane. I can’t believe I’ve never attended it before. And you were right. It’s perfect for the show. Kiss me.”