Page 274 of Broken Saint

It feels good. No, it feels amazing.

And hearing her excitement down the line only makes me miss Seattle that much more.

Colt is right; it’s where our family is. It’s where we’re going to raise our kids and build our lives.

“Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving?” I ask when the conversation trails off a little.

“Just having a quiet one here. Why?”

“We’re hosting at Colt’s house,” I announce, making Colt look over once more.

His expression starts serious, but it quickly morphs into joy.

“Yeah?” both Letty and Colt say together.

“Yeah. I’m moving to Seattle to be with him.”

“Ella,” Letty sobs.

Tears fill my own eyes again.

“I know,” I agree as years of close friendship and understanding pass through the line.

“Everything is going to be so awesome from here on out. Just you wait and see.”

“It’s all going to work out. Just like you said it would.”

Colt was nervous about his dinner, but there was no need. It was delicious. And my praise over it made him light up in a way I’ve never seen before.

“So what’s the plan then, Bombshell?” he asks once we’re back out in the swing snuggled under a blanket, watching the stars.

“I need a couple of weeks. I’ve got therapy sessions set up that I want to continue with. But I’m going to find someone who can take over in Seattle, and then I’ll come home with you.”

“Shit, El. Do you have any idea how good that sounds?” he asks, his fingers gripping mine tighter.

“Yeah,” I sigh. “I really do.”

He stares at me as if we’re not surrounded by darkness, memorizing every inch of my face.

“I never thought I deserved any of this,” he says. “But fuck…it feels so fucking good.”

A wide smile spreads across my lips. “It feels amazing. I love you, Colt. I have since the first time I saw you. I knew back then that you were meant for me.”

“Same, Bombshell. It just took me a while to figure out why you were buried so deep under my skin.”

“You got there in the end,” I tease.

“That I did. Come on,” he says, climbing to his feet and pulling me along with him.

“What are you doing?” I ask, happily following his lead.

“Dancing with my girl under the stars,” he says as he twists me into his body and wraps his strong arms around me. “I have no idea what the future holds, Ella. But for the first time in my life, it doesn’t terrify me, because I know that no matter what, you’ll be standing right by my side.”

Holding him closer, I press my face into his chest and breathe him in.

“I will, always.”

“My bombshell.”