I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment.
“You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that.”
I studied his face, realizing that despite nothing changing, I was beginning to recognize him again. This was the same Harrison I’d spent so many hours getting to know. He’d never left. I’d just lost sight of him for a second.
He rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “So, you want this too? No regrets?”
“Yes.” I wanted to laugh. “I was so worried the whole way home. I thought you might have changed your mind.”
He pulled me into his chest and I wrapped my arms around him, breathing him in. He tangled his fingers in my hair and sighed deeply.
“I’m so fucking stupid. Please don’t hold today against me.”
“It’s not all your fault. I wanted to say more to you, but I was scared.”
He pulled away to study my face. “Scared?”
“That you didn’t want me anymore now that the vacation glow had worn off,” I said.
He moved his hand to the back of my neck and tugged my face toward his. His lips met mine in a sweet, passionate kiss. Fireworks of excitement went off inside me as I relished how good he tasted. When he pulled away, he had a stern but gentle look on his face.
“I told you already. You’ve got me. That wasn’t some vacation spell I was under. That was all you. I’m yours for as long as you’ll have me.”
“I know, but?—”
He shook his head. “No buts. I meant it with my whole chest.” He tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear. “I know this is new, and I know I’m bad at this, but please know I’m going to try. This—you are really important to me.”
My heart squeezed. “You’re important to me, too,” I said, standing on my tiptoes to kiss him again. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and held me close.
“Does this mean you’ll delete those dating apps now?” he pleaded into my hair.
I laughed and dared to hope for the first time that I would never need to use those apps again.
“Definitely.”
TWENTY-NINE
Harrison
“I’m hitting the road, boss.”Shane drummed his hands on my chair. “Wanna grab a drink or anything?”
“Nah, not this time. I’m staying late tonight. I have a special client.”
Since getting back from Greece three weeks ago, I had started to make more of an effort with Shane. We’d been working side by side for years, and he’d invited me to hang out on a number of occasions. I used to turn him down with ease every time. Now, I’d realized that I hadn’t really been ‘keeping a tight inner circle’ like I’d told myself all this time. Instead, I had been pushing anyone and everyone away. It wasn’t healthy. Besides, I liked Shane.
“Look at us, two fully booked Saturdays in a row. Must be the new website.” He winked at me.
“Must be,” I said.
The old, clunky site had finally had its much-needed facelift, thanks to Lila. I had tried to tell her that I’d figure it out myself, that I didn’t want her putting too much on her plate again, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Almost as soon as we got back, she’d insisted I bring my laptop to her house so she could overhaul thesite. She’d said that even back before the trip, when she was still pissed at me, the website had been keeping her up at night.
The bell above the door chimed and I couldn’t keep the grin off my face watching Lila walk into my shop. She had on jeans and a cream sweater with multi color threads woven through it that made it look like a Funfetti cake. It was hard to imagine there had ever been a time where her brightly colored clothes irritated me. Now I found them endearing as hell.
“Hey,” she said, tugging at her sleeves and looking absolutely fucking adorable.
“Hey.” I got up and walked over in a few strides to scoop her into my arms.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t our savior.” Shane smiled at her as he shouldered on his coat.
