Chapter 97: A Rejection

[Rosco’s POV]

I keep my gaze fixed on Denali as she processes what I’ve just told her, and when a sense of wonder crosses her features, it feels like a weight is lifted from my shoulders. Great; she didn’t think that I was crazy or a stalker.

“All these years,” she murmurs, lifting her large blue gaze to mine. “But when we first met you..."

“Acted horribly due to hurt, and I still don’t deserve your forgiveness,” I finish for her.

“No,” she counters, giving a beautiful smile. “You’ve done more than enough to make it up to me. Through everything, you stayed beside me, and when I was in danger, you did everything to save me. Rosco, I forgave you long ago, and it’s time you forgave yourself.”

Nodding, I climb up on the bed beside her and pull her against me. As she snuggles against me, I kiss the top of her head and let myself get lost in the feel of her solidity beside me.