Jill Shalvis: The Street Where She Lives

She felt her heart crack at the desolation in his voice, in his eyes, and stroked a strand of hair out of his eyes. “I know. It’s who you are, it’s always been who you are. Ben, I shouldn’t have-”

“No, listen. When I got there this time, it no longer worked for me.”

She stared at him, forced herself to breathe. “Go on.”

“I want a home, Rach. I want it with you and Emily. For keeps.”

Her mouth fell open. A little laugh escaped. “You’re going to really wish you’d let me talk first.”

But he wasn’t done trying to convince her. “You can tell me to go away all you want, but you’ll have to convince me that’s what you really want this time. No more hiding, no more pretending what we have doesn’t exist. I love you, damn it, and I always have.”

“Ben-”

“So go ahead,” he dared. “Tell me you’re not interested. Make me believe it.”

“Ben-”

His mouth came down over hers, and proceeded to melt all her brain cells with the hot, greedy, needy connection. When he lifted his head, she clung to him, a little stunned that he could have sidetracked her with one simple kiss when she had so much to say. “Can I talk now?”

He looked wary. “I’m not sure. You going to tell me to go?”

“No.” She looked at Emily, who lifted her hands and covered her eyes.

“I’m not looking, Mom. Just don’t make me leave, I want to hear this! Tell him. Tell him quick or I will.”

“Tell me what?” asked the poor, confused man who’d done the unthinkable and come back for her. He’d come back.

Rachel put a hand on his chest, which he reached up to hold there over the steady beat of his big, beautiful heart.

“Ben…” She let out a low laugh. “We were coming to you. We were going to hike through all of Africa, if that’s what it took to locate you.”

“You…what?”

“I love you back,” she whispered, her eyes filling. “I never should have sent you away. I want another chance to prove we could make this work, even if we have to plan out a time schedule on how to meet up between your jobs. We belong together, Ben, even if we have to be apart for long periods of time. It doesn’t matter. I love you,” she said again, stronger now. “And I always have.”

Ben stared at her for one beat before hauling her even closer, burying his face at the crook of her neck, his arms banding tight around her body. They were both shaking, she realized as she hugged him back.

“I want to be here,” he whispered. “ Here. With you.”

“Not Africa?”

“Not Africa.”

“Not South America?”

“Not South America.”

“Not-”

“With you, Rachel,” he said, and reached out for Emily, pulling her into the fray. “With Emmie. The three of us.”

Rachel pulled back, bit her lower lip. “I was wondering how you would feel about four.”

Ben stared at her, then dropped his stunned gaze down to her still-flat belly. “Four?”

“No, not yet…I was just wondering…”

“Are you kidding?” His voice was hoarse. “I would love to have another baby with you.”

Emily closed her eyes as her parents squeezed her tight between them, her heart overflowing. She’d done it, she’d really done it. She’d gotten them back together, and now they were going to be a family. And maybe even add to that family! Hmm…did she want a sister to boss around, or a brother? Yeah, definitely a brother.

Oh, yeah, she was good. She’d made this happen.

She wondered what she could do next.

has been making up stories since she could hold a pencil. Now, thankfully, she gets to do it for a living, and doesn’t plan to ever stop. She is the bestselling, award-winning author of over two dozen novels, including series romance for both Harlequin and Silhouette. She’s hit the Waldenbooks bestsellers list, is a 2000 RITA® Award nominee and is a two-time National Reader’s Choice Award winner. She has been nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in Romantic Comedy, Best Duets and Best Temptation. Jill lives in California with her family.