“Then you would have seen that Max was lucky I spared his life.” She carefully took Lara’s arm. “And because I spared it, look what happened to you.”

Ella didn’t object when Lara called her a hero but this time welcomed the kiss. She slipped both hands down to her girl’s waist and tried to gather her thoughts. “I know I pushed you away because I thought I was protecting you and I promised I wouldn’t do that again but are you sure you want this?” She looked directly into Lara’s eyes and gently cupped her cheek. “Us.”