It took Kate an hour to repair her makeup after Macy and Brynn left, but it was worth it. Brynn had even brought her an outfit to wear for the homecoming, a V-necked green satin cocktail dress that hugged her curves in all the right places and sparkly silver heels.
She’d also told them she was moving into a small apartment on her own, that it was time to get out from under her mother’s smothering. Kate and Macy promised to be there for her. It was something Kate was looking forward to.
Kate entered the homecoming party on Riggs’s arm, elated that she and her friends had reconciled.
The clubhouse was filled with alumni, the mood tonight shifting as if the weight of the past had finally been lifted. Maybe forgiveness would bring them all even closer.
“Cassidy insists she didn’t know what Ned planned,” Stone told her.
“So she lied and triggered his breakdown, but she can’t be charged for that,” Kate said. “Not any more than the rest of us.”
“No, it’s time to move on.” Riggs pulled her onto the dance floor and they swayed to the soft lull of music. She spotted Stone dancing with Macy, and Jay Eastwood had scooped Brynn up from her wheelchair and was dancing her across the floor with a look of adoration. Maybe they were all three going to find romance now. And complete their dream of being in each other’s weddings.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to do this,” Riggs murmured as he swung her around.
Kate threaded her fingers in his hair. “I’m sorry for believing that rumor about you and Cassidy.”
Riggs shook his head, regret darkening his eyes. “I should have told you,” he murmured, “but my pride got in the way. I wanted you to see me for who I am now, to realize that I never would have abandoned a baby, not even back then.”
“I do see that, Riggs,” Kate murmured. “I guess I let my own past get in the way.”
He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “What do you mean?”
“My father left my mom when he found out she was pregnant. I...never knew him. And he never wanted any part of me.”
“Oh, God, Kate,” Riggs said gruffly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Kate shrugged. “You’d think it wouldn’t have affected me, but it did. And then losing Mom. I was afraid to love and lose again.”
“I know what you mean,” he murmured. “Sometimes our pasts have a way of interfering with our futures,” Riggs said. “And not in a good way.”
She lifted a hand and pressed it against his cheek. “But other times, in the best ways. The past shaped you into a hero.”
“I’m no hero,” he said in a self-deprecating tone.
Kate smiled. “You are to me.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t want to lose you, Riggs.”
“Ah, Kate, you’ve got me as long as you want me,” Riggs said in a sexy whisper. “I want to go to bed with you and wake up with you every morning.” He brushed his thumb across her cheek. “I want to marry you and have children with you and grow old together.”
Tears blurred Kate’s eyes and she looped her arms around his neck. “And sit in those rockers on your front porch and watch our children play.”
He chuckled. “And cuddle with them under the quilts my mother made.”
Emotions crowded Kate’s throat. “I would love that.”
Then he dragged her into his arms and kissed her.
* * * * *