Page 122 of Have To Be Mine

Elizabeth’s face lit up. “Oh, that’s perfect. That’s the one. We’re getting it.”

“Elizabeth, this is too much. You’ve already helped me pick out three other outfits.”

“Four, if you count the one you’re wearing out of here.” She waved off my protests. “And we’re charging it to the Blackwell account. Consider it a signing bonus.”

“I already got a signing bonus.”

“Then consider it a welcome gift. Or a bribe to make sure you don’t leave us.” She smiled. “Whatever works. We’re getting lunch, and I want to show you my designs.”

I changed into the navy dress, leaving my old outfit in the shopping bag. When I looked in the mirror again, I barely recognized myself. I looked confident. Professional. Like a woman who had her life together. I had gone with heels that were just a tiny bit outside of my comfort zone, but I was getting better.

We returned to the office just after one, my arms full of shopping bags. Elizabeth had to get back to pick up Bucky, but she’d shown me her sketches over lunch, and they were breathtaking. Elegant and modern with just enough edge to make them interesting. I couldn’t wait to see them brought to life.

I pushed open my office door and stopped short. Dash was sitting in my chair, his feet propped up on my desk, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“Nice office,” he said. “I can see why you took the job.”

“Get your feet off my desk.”

He grinned but complied, standing up. His eyes traveled over me, taking in the new dress. “Damn. You look incredible.”

“Elizabeth took me shopping.”

“I can tell. That color is perfect on you.” He moved around the desk, pulling me into his arms. “How’s your first day going?”

“Surreal. Overwhelming. Amazing.” I kissed him. “Your family is wonderful. Elizabeth took me shopping and showed me her new designs. Everyone’s been so welcoming. Although I feel like a total slacker. I’ve done no work.”

“They love you. I told you they would.” He released me and reached for something on the desk. A wrapped package I hadn’t noticed before. “I have something for you. A little office-warming gift.”

“Dash, you didn’t have to do that. I feel like I’m taking way too much from you guys.”

“Just open it.”

I unwrapped the package carefully, revealing a sleek black frame. When I saw what was inside, my breath caught.

It was the photo. The one from Corfu that had circulated on social media. Dash and me on set, both of us smiling, caught in a moment of pure joy. I was looking at him with affection. When I first saw that picture, I hated it because it revealed the truth I wanted to hide. But now, I was so glad to have the moment preserved forever.

“I thought you might want it,” he said quietly. “To remember where we started.”

I traced the edge of the frame, my vision blurring. “It’s great.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I looked up at him. “I love it. I love you. I love your family for being so kind to me when they didn’t have to be.”

“They’re your family now too.” He took the frame and walked to the credenza behind my desk, setting it where I’d be able to see it every day. “There. Now your office is complete.”

I came up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist and resting my cheek against his back. “Thank you. For everything. For pushing me. Believing in me. And giving me the space to get my shit together.”

He turned in my arms, tilting my chin up so I had to look at him. “I’m never giving up on us. You’re stuck with me now, Hedley.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

He kissed me and I was thinking about testing the lock on my office door. I’d spent so many years convinced I wasn’t built for this kind of life. I told myself love and belonging were things other people got to have. I wasn’t broken. I’d just been waiting for the right person to show me I was whole all along.

“I should probably get some actual work done,” I said reluctantly, pulling back. “It is my first day, after all.”