Those Three Little Words (The Vancouver Agitators, #2)

by Meghan Quinn

“Dear Pacey⁠—” “Oh my God, do not start it like that.” “Why not?” he asks. “Because that’s not how you speak to him. You want to be as casual as possible.” “Right.” He starts typing again. “Hey, dickwad⁠—”

“We know things about babies.” “Oh yeah? What do you know?” “Uh . . . that they shit,” Taters says. “They take naps,” Holmes offers. “They suck on boobs,” Posey adds. “Basically, they’re mini versions of us.” “Well put.” Taters gives him a nod. “That’s awkwardly accurate,” Holmes says.

“What do you want me to do to you?” Love me. Make love to me. Tell me that I’m the only woman you ever want in your life. Truly make me yours, brand me, mark me, make sure it’s obvious I belong to no one else but you. Eliminate this tormenting feeling that’s pulsing through me every time I look into your eyes. Don’t leave me alone in this world of love, wondering, hoping, begging that you’ll open your eyes and see how much I can offer you.

Because how could she love me? She’s so much more than I’ll ever be. She’s so smart, so loving, so open to giving her heart. And every day, when I wake up with her in my arms, I wonder how I get so goddamn lucky to be able to spend my days with her, even when she’s acting out or fighting with me.

I know”—she tears up and pats my chest—“when I’m here, right here, right next to you, that nothing will ever harm me. And . . . that I’m home.”

“Love is intimacy, Eli. Love is feeling protected, trusted, secure with yourself. Love is feeling like you’re home. Like there is nowhere else you want to be than in your person’s arms. Love is feeling this unbridled connection with another human, a connection so strong that when they’re not around, you feel . . . empty, incomplete. And love grows with intensity as your relationship grows. It starts small, like this tiny kernel needling at your back, bringing awareness to your brain that something is taking over and that an emotion is growing inside you. And as time passes, that kernel blooms into something bigger, something that eclipses your heart and takes up room in your chest, so when you see your person, all you can do is let out a deep breath of relief because they’re there. With you. For you. And if that person is the right person, if they’re truly the match to your soul, then they will make sure that nothing bad ever happens to you. That no matter what life throws at you—death, joy, heartache—they will be there, by your side, holding your hand, and reminding you that despite what you might be going through, there is always a home in their arms.”

“Love is what I feel for you. It’s what I felt for a while, and I know it’s what I’ll feel forever.”

“You mean everything to me. Your smile.” I kiss her lips. “Your heart.” I kiss her chest. “Your mind.” I kiss her forehead. “I couldn’t go a day without knowing that they belong to me. I’m so sorry it took me so long to figure it out.”

“You make me so goddamn happy. I didn’t know what I was missing in my life until you, Penny. You’ve parted the clouds that were hanging over me, and you let the sunshine in.”