Not talking things through is what got us into this. Got me into this. She wants me to be clear. I’ll be as clear as fucking glass.
It goes to her voicemail.
“Fuck,” I say.
I debate hanging up and calling her back over and over until she answers but decide to leave her message instead.
No more debating what I should and shouldn’t do.
Love doesn’t set the rules—we do.
“Natalie, it’s me.” I pause, letting the words sink in carefully before I say them. “I should have told you from the start that the feelings I have for you run so deeply that I never planned for us to end. That when we stood in my office, and I told you I was waiting for the one, I knew it was you, even if my heart and mind hadn’t figured it out yet. My subconscious knew, though. That’s why I’ve never dated long-term. There was a small piece in the back of my mind waiting for me to figure this out. And I did. Please tell me it’s not too late.” I take a breath, blowing it out slowly. “I didn’t want to say this over the phone, but if this is the only chance I get, I’m takin?—”
“Can I go first?”
My heart lurches at the sound of her voice, and I spin to find her standing behind me.
“Dove.”
“Dove,” she repeats with a sly smile. “Yeah, it gets the best of us, doesn’t it? Makes us do crazy things.” She steps forward. “Like run because we’re scared of the unknown.”
I end the call and take two steps to stand right in front of her.
Her hand cups my cheek.
“I’m sorry I left this morning, and I’m sorry about last night. I let my emotions get the best of me. You deserve better than that.”
I let out a breath, closing my eyes and soaking in her touch.
“I should have talked to you sooner.”
She nods. “Me too, but this whole new us is scary, and for some crazy reason, all my mind could think of washow could Tobias Banks ever see me in any way other than his friend for more than a short time?”
“Oh, trust me, I can. I’ll never see you in any way other thanmine.”
“So, can you forgive me?”
I nod and lace her hand with mine.
“I was about to confess my feelings to your voicemail and then search every part of this town until I found you and brought you home. Here. With me. Where you belong. Even when you’re unsure of what happens next. Because I’m sure, and I’ll remind you over and over until it sticks.”
“It’s sticking pretty good right now, but um, what’s the one thing you wish you had told me the night we met?” she asks.
“Easy. That I was, in fact, hitting on you when I said come to my room to see my romance books.”
She slaps my chest and lets out a playful laugh.
“I knew it.”
“And also, that from that night, even after knowing you only an hour, I loved you. That I would love you for my entire life. I’m so sorry it took me this long to figure it out.”
“You love me?” she asks, and her eyes start to glaze over. “Or do youdoveme?”
I let out a loud laugh and then yank her body to mine, cupping her cheek the way she still holds mine. She figured it out.
“Both.”
I crash my mouth to hers and kiss her like it’s the first and last time all in one. She presses me back until I stumble and hit the couch. She lands on top of me and pushes herself up with her hands to look down at me.
