“I think you’re such an amazing person. Like, the best person. And sometimes I feel like I can’t live up to that, but I know it’s just the fear talking.” I swallow, pulse pounding in my ears. “I’ve let so many things get in the way of us, and I’ve hurt you and I’m ashamed and I want to fix it because there’snothingworth losing you.
“I know I have no right to ask you for anything, and I wouldn’t blame you a bit for wanting off this crazy train, but... do you think you could forgive me anyway? And forget I ever said any of those things? And... take me back?”
He hasn’t moved in a full minute. I’m pretty sure if I poked him,he’d tip over. I decide to take advantage of his solidified state and rise up on my toes to kiss him, but he turns his head at the last second.
“People are watching,” he says roughly. He looks shaken.
“That’s the idea.”
“You don’t want to do this,” he says, glancing around. “You won’t be able to walk this back, Kate. You’re going to regret it tomorrow.”
“I’mnotgoing to regret this. What I regret is the way I’ve handled things until now. If I could go back, I would do so many things differently. I had you so wrong from the very beginning. I wanted to make you out to be something you weren’t, but you’re perfect how you are. Perfect forme. And I just... I couldn’t see...” I stop, getting choked up.
He looks alarmed. “Let’s just go home and talk. You don’t need to do this here.”
“No, Idoneed to do this here.” I clutch his jacket with renewed urgency. “Or else you won’t believe me.”
Awareness dawns on his face. “OfcourseI’ll believe you. You don’t have to make a spectacle of it. I was just kidding about that.”
“Damn it, Ben, I came here tonight to make a fool of myself over you, and I’m not leaving until I do!”
A slow smile stretches across his face. “A fool of yourself, huh?”
“Yes. Now, please just let me do this for you.”
Amusement lights his eyes. “All right. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
“First, this.”
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him, pouring every ounce of love and apology and emotion into it possible. This time he embraces it—embracesme—lifting me off my feet like he did in his apartment that fateful night. It’s only been a week, but dear God how I’ve missed this. I lose myself in him, lamenting that I can’t ravage his shorter hair as easily. I want to mess him up, unbutton his shirt, rip off his bow tie. I’d wrap my legs around his waist if my tight dress would allow it.
He eventually pulls back an inch, his eyes shining. “I think you’ve made your point. Can we go home now?”
“No! I’m not done yet. That was only part one.”
He carefully lowers me down and sets me on my feet. “How many parts are there?”
“Just two.”
He’s full-on grinning now. “All right, what’s part two?”
I take a deep breath and look up into his eyes. The eyes that hold everything: joy and mischief and strength. Eyes that own my heart and our future. Eyes bright with love.
Here goes nothing.
“I’m in love with you.”
Chapter 30
You’re in love with me.”
“Crazy in love.”
“Crazyin love.”
“Like so in love I can’t think straight. Or sleep. Or eat.”
He purses his lips. “That sounds serious.”
