One Night (The Sullivan Family, #4)

by Lena Hendrix

“You aren’t boring. You’re . . . special, Sylvie.” He was quiet, and I was too stunned to speak. “Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”

“What are you doing?” I suppressed a smile. “I’m showing you what it means to be cared for by a man like me.”

“I never danced before, because I could never dance with you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about, sweetheart. Your back’s gonna be hurting later too.”

I hurried to face him and grabbed the lapels of his jacket. “Who did this to you?” His sad, dark eyes lifted to mine, and a smirk lifted his lip. “That’s supposed to be my line.”

“I didn’t choose any of this!” His voice boomed into the darkness, and my chin tipped up in defiance. My eyes flared. “Exactly! Neither of us choose this. So why? Why would you put yourself through this? How is any of this worth it?” My voice cracked. Damn it. I swallowed past the lump that made it hard to breathe. “Because of you!” His voice rattled through the kitchen. He gestured toward me. “Because you are worth it!”

You may have gone your whole life without people prioritizing you, but that ends with me.”

“Sylvie, it’s you or no one. It has always been you.”

“Don’t cry, baby. I’m trying to tell you that I love you—that I have loved you for far too long without telling you. Before we ever got pregnant, I fell in love with your smile, your humor, your heart. I used to imagine a world where Outtatowner didn’t exist and I could flirt with you, sweep you off your feet, and take you for coffee. Show you off to my family. I don’t care what your last name is as long as it eventually becomes Sullivan.”

“I love you too. Please don’t ever let go.” His arms grew tighter. “Never.”

“I choose you over anyone else, in any circumstance, for the rest of my life. You will always know what it means to be loved by a man like me. I promise.”