Zoey blinked, her eyes glistening as he spoke. Pulling her back into his arms, he kissed her again. Her lips tasted like chocolate, and he wanted more of her sweetness. Reluctantly, he pulled away. He’d planned a romantic speech for when he told her he loved her. Instead, he never even made it into the house.
Closing the door behind him, he said, “Let me try this again. Zoey Henderson, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You’re sweet, loving, and have a passion that no one else could match. I took this job not because you needed me, but because I couldn’t stay away from you. I love you, Zoey.”
He’d hoped she would proclaim her feelings for him or something. But, instead, with her mouth wide open, she was speechless. Maybe she wasn’t ready to hear those words. Maybe she didn’t believe them, so why should she take what he was saying at face value?
“Why don’t we go and sit down?” Bennett took her hand and led her to the living room. This scene wasn’t going at all as he’d envisioned. Why should it? Nothing between us ever has.
As they passed the piano, Zoey stopped and pulled her hand from his. He turned to her and was hoping she wasn’t going to flip out on him again for touching her private things. What he didn’t expect was for her to open the bench and pull out sheet music. She sat down, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again as she began to play. She still hadn’t said anything, and he was worried.
Bennett recognized it instantly. It was the composition he’d been playing that fateful morning. But why was she playing it now? He listened. The man from the store was right. She was gifted. When she played, she became one with the keys. One couldn’t help but feel what she felt. As she played, he felt her pain, heartache, and emptiness. What surprised him was the piece didn’t end where it had when he played it. She had added his notes and melody to it. It didn’t sound quite the same as when he’d played it, but he knew it was his.
He waited for it to end abruptly, but when his notes ceased, the piece continued. It started as her emptiness, then his melody of hope now became hers again. She’s finished it.
What he heard—felt—as she played, was her declaration of love. She loved and trusted him.
When the music stopped, she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. He was speechless for the first time in his life.
“You’re incredible.” They were the only two words he could form. How had such talent been hidden for so many years? I don’t think any of her brothers know she can play, especially not this well. She’s incredible.
“Bennett. I... I love you.” Her words were soft and gentle like her.
He sat beside her on the bench as many thoughts crossed his mind. They may not know everything about each other, but he knew music was a passion they shared. She’d completed her piece. Our piece. She has so much love to give, and she loves me. She had never looked so beautiful. I want her as mine forever. No one, including her brothers, knew everything she endured, but no one really needed to. He couldn’t erase her past, but the love he felt for her would change their future. She deserves the world. I’d do anything for her. “I want you to do something to make me happy.”
Zoey looked him in the eyes and nodded. “Anything.”
Bennett smiled, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a gold box. He opened it to reveal a heart-shaped diamond nestled above a beautiful band decorated tastefully with more diamonds. Reaching for her left hand, he said, “Then please become my wife, because having you by my side for entirety will still not seem long enough.”
A single tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled and breathlessly said, “Yes. Yes, Bennett. I will be your wife and stay by your side until the end of time.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger before pulling her into his arms. Before kissing her, he said again, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
As his lips claimed hers, he knew he’d spend his life dedicated to making her happy. He wouldn’t be able to remove the pain from her past, but he’d do everything possible to ensure she didn’t face any in her future. Their future.