Chapter 18

18

Two months later…

The sunlight streamed through the windows of the cozy coffee shop, bathing everything in a warm golden glow. Adrianna sat across from Mickey in a secluded corner booth, their hands clasped together on the tabletop. She stroked his knuckles with her thumb, mesmerized by the sight of his long, elegant fingers entwined with hers.

"You look beautiful," Mickey said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

Heat rose in her cheeks at the compliment. "Thank you," she murmured. "You always know just what to say."

"Only because it's the truth." His eyes flickered over her face, lingering on her lips. "Being with you like this, its pure bliss."

Adrianna's heart skipped a beat. No matter how many times he professed his love, it never failed to make her feel cherished.

Mickey lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles. The feather-light touch of his lips sent a delicious shiver down her spine.

"I can't get enough of you," he confessed in a husky whisper. "Every moment we're apart feels like an eternity."

"I feel the same way," Adrianna said. She leaned across the table, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

Mickey met her halfway in a slow, deep kiss that ignited her senses. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them cocooned in their own private paradise.

Here, in this moment, Adrianna was blissfully content. As long as she had Mickey by her side, nothing else mattered. Their love was her shelter in the storm, a light to guide her path through the darkness. Together, they could overcome any challenge or obstacle.

"Let's go check out your new office. Classes start tomorrow."

Adrianna helped Mickey unpack the last of his boxes in his new office. She sorted through the stacks of books, organizing them alphabetically on the shelves.

Mickey gazed at her, leaning against the doorway. "Thank you for helping."

Adrianna smiled, warmth flooding her cheeks. "Of course. What are girlfriends for?"

Girlfriend. The word still gave her butterflies. Someday he was going to pop the question and she would be his wife.

A flashback popped into her mind, transporting her to that fateful night under the stars when Mickey confessed his love and his thoughts on her being his wife someday. She remembered the nervous flutter of her heart, the hope and joy blossoming inside her as he spoke those three little words that changed everything.

I love you, Adrianna Rose. From the moment I first saw you, I knew you were special.

Blinking back to the present, Adrianna found Mickey watching her.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"The night you told me you loved me," she admitted.

Mickey's eyes lit up with recognition. He strode over to her and enveloped her in his arms. "Best night of my life," he murmured against her hair. "Because it meant I could finally stop hiding how I truly felt about you. You brought light to my world, Adrianna, and gave me a reason to hope again."

Adrianna smiled, utterly content. The challenges they faced had only made them stronger. No matter what obstacles they encountered in the future, their love would see them through. She knew, without a doubt, that they were meant to be.

The sun dipped below the horizon, but Adrianna only had eyes for the man beside her. The man who held her heart, her soul, her everything. Their future was brighter than any sunset, filled with promise and possibility.

After all they endured to be together, every moment was a gift. Adrianna wouldn't trade it for the world.

Adrianna squeezed Mickey's hand, their fingers intertwined. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.

Mickey pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "What are you thinking about?"

"How lucky I am," she said.

"I'm the lucky one." Mickey's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. "You make me happier than I ever dreamed I could be."

Adrianna tilted her head up, her lips curving into a soft smile. Mickey dipped his head, capturing her mouth in a sweet, unhurried kiss.

When they parted, Adrianna rested her forehead against his, her eyes shining with love and tenderness. "The future is ours, my love. And I'm not going anywhere." Adrianna gave his hand another gentle squeeze. "You're stuck with me."

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Miss Rose." Mickey grinned, the smile that had stolen her heart from the very first day.

Adrianna's joy bubbled up inside her, overflowing in the form of laughter. Mickey chuckled along with her, the sound melodic and carefree.

The sun may have set on the day, but for them, a new day was dawning. Full of promise and hope for a future, they would build side by side, hand in hand and heart to heart.

Their love lit the way forward, a flame to guide them through any darkness. As long as they had each other, there was no obstacle they couldn't overcome. No challenge too great. No distance too far.

Together, they could do anything.