“Because of me?”
“Not entirely. I think it had a lot to do with my family.” She went still. “But also because of you.”
“You have no idea how much I hate that,” he said.
“I’m not telling you that so you’ll feel bad. I just think you need to understand the whole picture. I don’t ever put myself in a situation where I might get hurt.” She kicked at something invisible, her shoe leaving an imprint in the thin layer of freshly fallen snow. “I don’t like taking risks on anyone other than myself, and only then when I’ve done so much research it doesn’t feel risky anymore. I focus on the things I can control. I date guys I have no real interest in because I know they can’t hurt me. I’m perfectly content to spend my weekends working or reading or reading about my work.”
She turned toward him. “But I realize now that some things—some people—are worth the risk.”
He searched her eyes, his heart racing hopefully. “Lauren, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I know being confronted with our past can be a lot, and yes, we have some history—but I believe in second chances.”
He struggled to not let his emotions show. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Lauren.”
“Nobody deserves forgiveness, Will. That’s the point. That’s what grace is.”
“You sound like my mom.” He chuckled. “One of her favorite things to say is, ‘there’s grace for that.’” His face turned serious. “But is there really? Is there grace for someone who’s made so many mistakes?”
She reached over and took his hand.
She inhaled a deep, slow breath. “You and me, Sinclair. Something about it just works.”
“You and me?”
She nodded. “It’s all we need.”
He reached for her. “I'm going to kiss you now.”
“Well, stop talking about it and do it already, wou—？”
And he did.
In that moment, he really did feel invincible. She made him think he could do anything. She inspired him to do better, to be better. And he wanted to experience it all with her.
He leaned toward her and took her face in his hands, then they both stood, her arms circling his waist. The heat from her body melded with his, even through their winter coats, and he couldn’t think of any reason not to follow his heart.
She inched up on her tiptoes, and he dipped down, savoring the moment. Her skin was cold, but her mouth was warm, and as he deepened the kiss, the rest of the world melted away.
He pulled back and looked at her, hands still framing her face. “I’ve wanted to do that practically since I picked you up in that diner on the pier.”
She smiled up at him. “Was it worth the wait?”
“So worth it.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “But there’s always room for improvement, so I think we’re going to need a lot of practice.” Another kiss, one he hoped communicated that this moment made him feel like the luckiest man alive.
She unwound her arms from around him and pressed her hands to his chest. “Something to look forward to.”
The back door flung open, and his mother raced out, cordless phone in her hand. “Lauren, it’s your brother! They’re having their baby!”
Lauren’s eyes widened. “Wait. What? Now!?”
“He said he’s been trying to call you all night,” Mom said. “They’re at the hospital now!”
“Let’s go.” Will led her back into the house, where they were met with a chorus of voices shouting at them to send pictures when the baby arrived. Lauren thanked them the whole way out the door, and as they turned to go, Will stole a glimpse into the living room, where his grandfather was resting in his chair.
He met Will’s eyes from the across the room and gave him a thumbs-up.
The road ahead and the road behind.
He crossed the room and squeezed his grandpa’s hand. “Merry Christmas, Pops. And thanks for believing in me. Even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Pops nodded, then pulled off the oxygen mask. He spoke with a huge smile plastered on his face. “Get that girl to the hospital, would ya? Want me to drive?”
Chapter 33
Back in the familiar space of Will’s Jeep, Lauren felt herself finally relax.
She couldn’t have predicted that a crazy cross-country road trip would’ve made her a lover of Christmas, but here she was, basking in its glow.
Will reached across the seat and took her hand, holding it like it was something that required great care. He drove a little faster than usual, getting to the hospital in record time, despite the snow.