Lake + Manning (Something in the Way, #4)

by Jessica Hawkins

“Let’s make love here every night,” he murmured. “Life is not that good,” I said. “It can’t be.” “It can. It is.”

“And I don’t want to wait any longer to make that official. I want you as my wife—now. I want you pregnant with my child—now.”

“She’s my only concern,” Manning continued, “my only priority, and I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to worry about her anymore. She’s safe and happy and cared for.”

“I love you, Lake. I guess there are lots more romantic places I could ask you to be mine, but where better than the first spot I laid eyes on you?”

“I love you, Great Bear, but if you lay a finger on that pie, I’ll toss that engagement ring in the garbage disposal and walk out of your life forever.”

“You know I’ll always move the stars for you if need be,” he said. “Whatever it takes.”

“You’re such a romantic.” “Only for you,” he said, “but that’s no surprise to anyone.”

Perhaps our timing had always been right, and like Manning, I needed to let go and trust that in the end, we’d get everything we were supposed to.

“I love you, Lake Sutter. I don’t know why you trusted me that first day or any day after it. You mesmerized me. There was, and still is, something in the way you are. Your blue eyes brought peace and light to my dark and noisy head.” He drew back and took a moment to collect himself. “I think maybe you saved me, Birdy.”

“You are my family.” He slapped the back of his shoulder. “I burned you, my star, right here on my fucking skin. You have already given me the world. The goddamn universe.”