Project Produce(90)

His eyes met mine, and he stared at me for an endless moment before he said, “You. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“E-Even after everything I did, everything I said?” The lump in my throat was almost too much to bear.

“Even after all that.” His lips formed that crooked smile I’d come to love, and his face grew blurry through my tears.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean anything I said, and I didn’t even use your name in my report. I was just scared of getting hurt, so I pushed you away first.” I hiccupped again.

“I know. I saw your report. It was damn good.” He paused for a minute, then added, “You’re nothing like Tina. I knew that, I was just angry. I came back to say I was sorry, that I’d overreacted, but you were gone. Then I heard the call come over the police radio. God, I thought I’d lost you. I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to you.” He opened his arms. “Come here.”

I threw myself against him and sobbed as he held me tight, running his hand up and down my spine. “You don’t know what you’re getting into by loving me. Are you sure?” I asked.

He chuckled. “I don’t have a choice. I tried not loving you. Didn’t work. Even tried living without you. Can’t do it. At least my life won’t be boring.” He hugged me closer.

I looked up at him, and whispered, “God, I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” he whispered back, then pressed his lips to mine, lending truth to his words as all the love he felt seeped into me through that single kiss. When we finally broke apart for air, he said, “Come on.” He stood up and held out his hand.

“Where are we going?” I dried my eyes, then let him pull me to my feet.

“To the train station.”

I blinked, and my mouth fell open. “But I, I...”

“It’s time.”

“I don’t think I can do this by myself.”

“Who said you’re going alone?”

“You would do that for me?”

“I would do anything for you. Believe me when I say you don’t ever have to be alone again.” He cupped my cheek. “Only do me a favor.”

“Anything.” I would have promised him the world at that moment and meant it.

“No more shopping for produce.”

I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years, then placed a quick kiss on his lips. “Trust me. One zucchini is enough for any woman.”