They found the men in the kitchen, and Mikey seemed more relaxed than he had been since they arrived at Britt's. Mandy wasn't sure if Jason was a miracle worker or if the cookies had charmed him, but she was glad, especially since she would soon have to explain her daughter's condition to Jason in the context of their marriage. She wasn't sure how that conversation would go, but her impression was that he would accept anything as long as she stayed with him.

Finding the boy she'd spent most of her life wondering about had been a wonderful surprise. She'd expected a simple conversation and then to move on. After all, her original reason for contacting him was closure.

But when he told her everything that had happened while they were apart, and she saw how terribly lonely he must have been, her rationality vanished. She couldn't leave the only person who had shown her kindness during a vulnerable time all alone.

Her long-buried feelings for him resurfaced when she realized how similar they were. She had meant it when she said she wasn't going to let him get away again. The odds of finding someone else who would understand her life were negligible.

It was both cute and sad how much disbelief he was in during their first few days together—as if he couldn't believe someone actually wanted to be with him. That strengthened Mandy's resolve to stay by his side.

The past few weeks had been the best of her life. She was living comfortably, having fun with someone who adored her, and whom she adored in return. Her marriage of necessity to Lucas was absolutely nothing like her relationship with Mikey.

He was exceedingly gentle in his affections and genuinely interested in what she had to say, just as she had been toward him all those years ago. And sometimes, he looked at her as if she were the only person in the universe.

She had never expected anyone to look at her like that. Ever.

He wasn't the most verbally affectionate person. He had called her beautiful on multiple occasions, but hadn't yet said "I love you," even though it was obvious. His actions clearly showed how deeply he'd fallen for her.

Her heart swelled with affection as she watched him converse easily with Jason and Britt about the Yankees' chances in the upcoming season. No matter what he'd done with his life, deep down he was still the kind boy she'd fallen in love with.

Britt seemed much more accepting by the time they left and waved them off cheerfully, even inviting Mikey to Sunday dinner the following week. He'd already begun to win her over.

He cleared his throat once they were back in his car and confessed something in a guilty tone. "I, uh, overheard the end of your conversation with Britt. The part where you said I was your first love…and that no one had ever treated you so well."

Was that why he'd been so much more relaxed when they returned? He must have slipped away before Britt gave her conditions of acceptance to reach the kitchen without being seen.

Mikey continued, "It made me realize I'd done a lot to give you that impression, but I never actually said it. I suppose I'm not used to it yet…I've never told anyone I loved them before…but I do. Call me crazy, but I'm in love with you, Mandy Applegate. I'm so grateful you've chosen to stay with me."

Ah, he was too cute! Seeing his earnest expression as he drove made Mandy want to tackle him right then and there. Not wanting to cause an accident, she refrained. She would do it as soon as they got home.

Before that, she should tell him how the rest of the conversation went. Mandy really hoped he wouldn't have a problem with it.

She reached out to touch his arm. "I love you too. Is it okay if we wait six months to get married, though? Britt's a little worried about us rushing things."

He chuckled. "Six months is nothing compared to thirty-eight years. Besides, you'll be with me the whole time. I don't mind. It will give you more time to plan the wedding anyway."

Oh, please. She didn't have anyone she cared to invite beyond Britt's family and a few volunteers from the women's shelter she'd kept in touch with over the years. Planning such a small wedding wouldn't require six months.

However, Mandy did intend to invite Keeley Hale to help with the arrangements. It would continue their prank, but Mikey also seemed to want to reconcile with his family. She felt that winning Keeley over would be a major step in their favor.

He would need to have a serious conversation with Aaron eventually, but there was still time for that. Their lives, and their relationship, weren't over.

"I don't think I'll need that long," Mandy said. "But I do want Keeley's input. Maybe while I'm doing wedding things with her, you can finally have a proper conversation with Aaron about your relationship."

Mikey frowned. "You say that as if it's easy. Aaron is probably the most difficult person to get close to that I've ever met."

She laughed. That was something, coming from him. Aaron must be an impenetrable wall of ice if her extremely reserved fiancé thought he was that bad. They were more similar than either of them cared to admit.

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