Accidentally Under Your Tree (Grand Ridge Christmas #1)

31. Epilogue

Lizzy

Will held out his hand for my coat. He hung it on a hook at the front entrance of his second-floor apartment. His place fit him so well. Industrial beamed ceiling with gleaming woodwork throughout. The small space was thoughtfully utilized and cozy. He'd given me a tour of the wood shop on the main floor of his building. Downstairs, he'd seemed more comfortable than he was in his apartment.

His fingers twitched at his sides, and he licked his lips.

He gestured to the room. "This is my place."

"I like it," I said.

"It's not too…" Pink rose up his throat to his cheeks, and my heart ached.

"Too what?"

"I don't know." His biceps flexed distractingly as he rubbed at the back of his neck. After moving me into Rose's place the day before, he’d given me a kiss goodbye and not much more. And while we were on our 'first date' just a few moments ago, he'd behaved like a total gentleman. I had yet to jump his bones since arriving in Kansas City.

The rise and fall of his chest paired with the way his T-shirt matched the green of his eyes were almost too handsome to hear over. "Boring. Male. Small."

I scoffed. "You just helped me move from my parents’ house into my sister's. No. I'm not judging the size or decor of the space that you own. I do really like it, though."

The heel of my boot clicked on the tile floor by the front door. It took no time at all to close the space between us. I leaned against him, my hands resting on his chest.

His hands slid from my hips to the back pockets of my jeans. "I really like you in it."

For our date, he'd taken me to a barbecue place, claiming that it would change my life. It was really good. But considering how my life was going…I'd already made the changes I was interested in. Now, I was looking forward to some consistency—with Will firmly established in my usual routine.

Going up on my tiptoes, I placed a kiss on his neck just below his jaw. His stubble was rough on my lips. "Wanna give me a tour of your bedroom?"

"You don't want a drink first?"

I fell back onto my heels. Pursing my lips, I didn't even pretend to appreciate his suggestion. "Will, it has been a month and a half."

A cocky grin spread across his face. It would have been annoying if I didn't like him so much. "You've been keeping track?"

"Haven't you?" I demanded. "A. Month. And. A. Half. Since we had to be quiet in the basement. I've been surviving"—I lifted a haughty eyebrow—" admirably , on sexting, and solicited dick pics. Do you want me to beg?"

His eyebrows shot up, and he tilted his head to the side.

My mouth fell open, the corners pulled up. I slapped his chest in the most girlish way. "You do, don't you?"

"You bring out the weirdest sides of me." He kissed me deep and slow. I unraveled. My tight coils puddled in a tangle that didn't feel messy. On the contrary, the more I revealed to him, the more certain I was that he appreciated all my sharp edges and tightly wound threads.

The more certain I was that I loved him.

Breathing the words aloud was the simplest thing—so simple I forgot to feel anxious. "I love you."

He pulled back just far enough to meet my eyes. His voice was velvety and warm, and only for my ears as he said, "I love you too."

The most natural thing in the world.