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I want to kiss her.
I want to, and I will.
But first, I have to make sure she knows something. “This is new territory for me. I’ve been single for a really long time. I might get afraid again. I might mess up again.”
She nods. Her eyes remain on mine. Sunlight kisses the bridge of her nose. “It’ll be an adventure.”
“Will you be the guide?”
She tilts her face so the angle mirrors mine. “It’s going to be new for me, too. I think we should figure it out together.”
“I’d like that.”
“Let’s shake on it,” she says.
“I have a better idea.” I dip my lips down, and we seal the agreement with a kiss.
Chapter 24
Gwen
There is a young man with a mohawk sitting at my desk. In my chair.
Well, what used to be my desk.
What used to be my chair.
Not anymore.
I lead the big, goofy Rottweiler I’m taking care of this week through the maze of tables and desks. When we reach what used to be my desk, I smile at Mohawk Guy. My gaze roves over the familiar rack of file folders, the desktop computer, and the phone until I find the placard with his name.
Mark Douchene—Shipping Department Customer Care.
“How’s it going, Mark?” I ask.
“Great,” he replies with a polite smile. “Can I help you with something?”
Recognition rearranges his features, and he hops to his feet and extends his hand. “Gwen! Hey there, sorry about that. Of course. I’ve seen so many photos of you, just haven’t met you in person. Isn’t it funny how photos can look so different from the real deal?”
“They sure can.”
Ever since Brock proposed, my image has been splashed across so many platforms. I probably look like his sidekick in those photos. His support. His number-one cheerleader. I know what some of my coworkers insist on saying when they gossip at happy hour or trade stories in the break room.
‘He fired her once. She was so infatuated, she didn’t even stand up for herself.’
Well, they can talk all they want. They don’t know the truth or the whole story.
They don’t know Brock and I are a team and that we came together because of this office, but our relationship grew far beyond these walls.
It doesn’t matter to me what they choose to gossip about. All that matters to me is that I’m happy.
I chit chat with the new guy, Mark, for a minute, then tug my charge’s leash and head for the elevators. As I pass the break room, I peek in for old time’s sake. A box of donuts lies open on the table.
“Go ahead, have one,” a voice whispers.
A grin spreads across my lips. I swivel around,
Lizzy opens her arms for a hug, which I happily give. “What are you doing here, Mrs. Benson?” she asks.
