I swiped at the tear that had spilled against my will and gazed back at him in disbelief through still blurry eyes. “I—what?”
Rather than answer, he tossed the boxes on the island and closed the distance between us. However, the minute his chest almost touched mine, I backed away.
“No! Do not try to confuse me anymore than you already have. What did you mean by being done?”
He blew out a breath, and I could tell by the clenched fists at his side that he was using every ounce of the control he possessed not to yank me back.
“I didn’t know what the Montgomerys were planning. I went over there to apologize for standing them up, and they ambushed me with that reporter bitch.” He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, completely wrecking the gelled style. “They wanted photos to go with the bullshit story they were spinning about Bee and me, and as pissed as I was, I was more afraid for Bee and what it would mean for her if I didn’t go through with it.” He laughed as he stared down at the floor, but it sounded dry and humorless. “They have to think I’m the worst fiancé in the world since I hardly ever come around, and when I do, I’m not truly there.” His candid golden gaze rose to meet mine. “I’m miles away with you. Mind, heart, and soul.”
I sniffed and tried to draw in a steady breath but failed. I ached and trembled, wanting nothing more than to go to him, but I knew there was more. “You realized this because they asked for a few photos?”
“No.” He swallowed, and I could have sworn he even gulped. “I realized this when they asked me to kiss her so they could splash it all over the front page.”
His words sank in, and suddenly, I was trembling for a different reason. I wanted to race over to the Montgomerys and give them all a piece of my mind.
“You kissed her?” I asked him and felt bile rising as I waited for the answer.
“Fuck. No.” He forgot all about the distance I demanded and took my hands, pulling me close. I felt at home surrounded by his heat and strength. “For nothing and no one in the world would I ever let myself lose you. That’s when I knew I was done.”
Gazing up into his eyes, I lost the fight and dissolved into tears. “You promise?” I sobbingly choked.
“Forever and always, Four.”
I smiled, unable to keep it from spreading, and Ever’s eyes widened. Overcome with emotion, his chest shook violently, and he seemed genuinely startled by the depth of his feelings.
“God, baby,” he said once he finally calmed enough to speak, “I love you so fucking much.” His leaned down and rested his forehead against mine. “Tomorrow, I’m telling Jamie everything.”
Worry penetrated the cloud of happiness surrounding me and I frowned. “Without Barbie’s blessing?”
“I have a plan, but it doesn’t work without him. She’ll just have to deal.”
I found myself smirking at his righteous sense of high-handedness. “Can I please be there when you tell her that?”
His arms tightened around me until it was hard to breathe but I didn’t care. I never wanted him to let go. “I almost lost you, Four. It will be a long time before I let you out of my sight.”
“In that case…” I gripped his tux in my fist and kissed him hard before whispering against his lips, “I love you, too.”
Of course, Ever dove in for seconds, taking the kiss deeper until he was left with no choice but to lift me in his arms and carry me back upstairs.
Prom and the rest of the world would just have to wait.