“You’re really here?” I push myself up to lean against the headboard, eyeing him, still expecting him to disappear.

If smiles could heal broken hearts, his definitely holds that magic. “Of course, I’m here. Your father called me after he talked to you.”

I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tight. I love this man without end. No matter what, I know that will never, ever change. He is my heart.

His muscular arms circle me and he holds me until I slowly and very reluctantly pull away from the haven of his chest. “I’m so glad you came,” I say, reaching for a tissue from the box on my nightstand. I don’t want to cry anymore, but new bittersweet tears are already welling up behind my eyes.

“I loved her, too,” he says simply. “And I have something for you.” He reaches into his worn leather jacket and my mouth falls open as he pulls out Mopsy, my old, raggedy stuffed bunny that he gave me for my fifth birthday. I thought I had lost her and threw quite a tantrum, which led to him taking me to adopt Snuggles.

I slowly take the plush toy from him, confused as to how he has it after all these years. The ear is ripped, just like it was long ago, so I know this is definitely the same toy and not a similar one he found at a garage sale someplace.

“It’s my Mopsy… I thought she was gone. I totally forgot about her.”

“I know,” He nods and a faint smile crosses his lips. “A few days after you lost it, I found her in the bushes by the front door of your house. It must have fallen out of your little backpack,” his smile turns into a disappointed frown. “I feel like shit that I didn’t give it to you, Kenzi. I just wanted something of yours, I think. It’s been in my closet all this time. I know I’m an asshole-”

“No,” I stop him, my voice wavering. “You’re not. I totally understand,” I reach out and hesitantly touch his cheek, making him look at me. “I wanted your things, too. I always wanted some part of you to hold onto.”

“I guess I felt that about you, too.”

My heart hammers as we stare at each other, his dark gaze drifting from my eyes, to my lips, then back to my eyes again, debating. Struggling. I hold my breath, waiting for him to kiss me again, feeling that intense undeniable pull, but instead, he grabs my hand from his cheek, quickly brushes his lips across my knuckles, and rests my hand on the bed, pulling his away.

“Kenzi…I can’t.” His stormy eyes close and he shakes his head.

I nod and hug my stuffed toy against me, biting my lip to keep my tears at bay. He scoots closer to me on the bed, his leg pressing against mine through the thin quilt that’s covering me, and I want him closer. I want to know what it would feel like to mold my body up against his and fall asleep in his arms. I’m envious of childhood me, who used to climb on his lap and nap with my head nestled between his shoulder and his neck.

“If it’s okay with you, I’m going to take Snuggles back to your house tonight, and I’m going to bury her next to your water fountain. And when you get back home, we can plant some flowers and get a special stone for her, okay?”

“You’d do that?” This incredibly sexy man, who must have better things to do, is going to drive almost six hours round trip to bury my pet bunny for me. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love him more, the space in my heart that is only for him doubles in size. I blink at him, teetering between bursting into tears again and wanting to kiss him madly. Is this my pseudo-uncle taking care of me or is this a man who has feelings for me doing things that would make him the most awesome boyfriend in the world?

“That’s why I came here so fast. I thought you’d want her home.”

I’m unable to bring himself to look at him. I’m afraid if I do, I’m going to kiss him, whether he wants me to or not, because he’s got my heart in a major chokehold right now. “I’d like that a lot.” I manage to say.

“Listen, Angel. I know how much you love visiting Katherine. Don’t let this ruin your stay, okay? I don’t want you to attach bad memories here. You gave that rabbit an amazing life; she lived way longer than most rabbits do, and I think this was where she wanted to go – sleeping in your room close to you, with a beautiful view. Fuck, if I had the choice, I’d go the same way someday.”