Chapter 29

"I'm not going back to Georgia. There's nothing there for me anymore. The only thing I want in the world is right here."

Beau gives me a squeeze and it feels like my heart is breaking open in my chest. I do believe him. Or at least, I believe he's telling the truth as he knows it right now—it's hard to argue with how attentive he's been in the last two weeks. Making breakfast and dinner every day, even showing up at my office to take me to lunch a few times. My apartment has never been so spotless and a new bunch of fresh flowers appear every couple days.

And then there's the sex… oh god, the sex. It's so incredibly good that it brings tears to my eyes. Sometimes it's slow and sweet and sometimes it's fast and hard. Either way, I've never felt anything like it before. It feels like my soul physically leaves my body each time and when it comes back to me, a little part of it is missing. It feels like I'm losing myself, piece by piece, until there's nothing left, until all that remains is Beau.

So no, I'm confident that Beau believes every single word he says—the question is, how long will he believe it? Will he get bored of me at some point? Will he change his mind?

"I got a job."

I glance up at the sudden change in subject. "You did?"

"At the gym downstairs. It's just contract for the first few months to see if I'm a good fit."

My heart thuds heavily against my ribs. "Really?"

"Yup. I was wondering if you'd like a more permanent roommate."

"Roommate."

Beau's lips quirk at my inability to do more than parrot his words. "The only problem is you don't have room for another bed, so I guess I'll have to keep sharing yours."

"Share."

"Oh, and I hope you don't mind if I move your things around. I'm getting my parents to send me my stuff."

"Your parents." I sit bolt upright. "Oh my god, your parents. You told them?"

"Called them this afternoon."

Panic rises in my throat. "And?" I squeak.

Beau shrugs. "And they're cool with it."

That can't be right. "They're cool with it? You come out to them at twenty-eight and tell them you're dating your childhood best friend, and they're just cool with it?"

Beau tries to bite back his laughter but fails miserably. "They said they suspected all along, but figured they were wrong when I married Lucy."

My mouth hangs open so wide, I can feel the frigid air at the back of my throat. Beau's gaze drops to it and he smirks before leaning in and slipping his tongue inside. I moan around it and melt into him.

He told his parents. They'll end up telling my parents and all their friends. By this time tomorrow, everyone I know will be talking about me and Beau. Us. There's no going back from that.

My throat closes from all the emotions surging through me—love, desire, gratitude. Could this actually be real? Can I really grab ahold of this thing I've wanted for so long?

"I told you I'm serious," Beau murmurs against my lips.

"You did." And if he had the courage to come out to everyone back home, maybe I can dig up the courage to take him at his word.

"I love you, G."

I don't try to stop the tears gathering on my lashes. "I love you too, Beau."

He brushes his thumbs across my cheeks, wiping away the wetness. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head and blink open my eyes. "Nothing. I'm just so happy."

"I'm happy too." Beau smiles at me, big and goofy and beautiful. My best friend. My soulmate. The love of my life.