He places a hand on my lower back and guides me to the door. “And you responded.”
“Yes, because you started it.”
“You could have easily just said no.”
His tone is playful but I’m a mite pissed. “You know what? I’m saying no to you tonight.”
We break out into the corridor and he leans in to whisper in my ear. “You most certainly won’t.”
A shiver slices through me and my breath hitches. “I will. Watch me.”
I prance off, leaving him in my wake.
“Oh, I’m definitely watching.”
I turn around to find him staring at my backside. “You don’t get that either!” I hurry back and nudge him forward, coming up behind him. “Now go show me this surprise you have for me.”
Some staff we walk past keep their gazes ahead, while others glance in our direction with a smile. It’s no secret now that we’re a couple.
After three months, I’m certain the whole building knows it. And it’s not like we’re great at hiding it, or even trying to.
Chance kisses me every opportunity he gets and no matter who’s around. It pleases me to know he’s not ashamed of us, so I clasp my hand around his elbow every time we’re walking next to each other.
We round a corner to the main area of the floor when I come to a gasping halt. My hands fly to my mouth as I stare at the scene before me.
My dad, mom and Natalie stand next to Julia, chatting about heaven knows what. All I do know is that my eyes are filling up and I can’t breathe.
I turn to Chance. “You didn’t.”
His smile is pleased. “Let’s go say hi.”
Halfway there, I scream, “Mom, Dad!”
Mom rushes forward and hugs me tightly. “My baby, I’ve missed you so, so much.”
Dad squeezes us both. “So good to see you, kiddo.”
I breathe in their scents and feel their comforting warmth. “How on earth are you two here?”
After deciding to remain on Magic Island, I wanted to see my family and Nat, but work at the company kept me from leaving. I promised myself I’d leave once the campaign was underway.
And now they’re here!
I pull away to draw Natalie into a hug. “I missed you so much.”
She holds me tight. “I missed you too, babe.”
I stand back and look over their smiling faces. “Now someone, tell me how this is possible! I’m dying.”
“Don’t say that, love,” Mom chides.
“People who are dying don’t announce it,” Dad adds.
I laugh until my eyes fill up, then I wipe at them.
“Chance contacted me saying that he’d like to bring your parents over since you missed them,” Nat explains. “So I asked and they were game, so here we are.”
I spin to face Chance. Unable to hold back, I palm his face and kiss him with all the love growing in my heart. When I pull away, my parents are looking at me expectantly.
