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Arden thought about how surprised she would have been only a week ago if someone had told her that her holiday home swap would end with her staying a few extra days with some guy she’d just met. Probably she would have wondered if she’d sustained a head injury of some kind that had completely changed her personality. The thought made her giggle. Sam pulled her closer and led the way back toward the train.

Chapter 39

Phoebe

The old swing set creaked with age as Phoebe soared higher and higher. Jonathan could not stop laughing as he pushed her.

“You—on my childhood swing—I just can’t get over it.”

“This backyard is so beautiful!” A large oak tree arched overhead, its leaves rustling against the clear blue sky.

They had managed to extricate themselves from Jonathan’s excited family. For a moment, the only sound was that of the trees and the squeaky chain of the swing.

Finally, Jonathan spoke again. “I think I’ve been in love with you this whole time.”

Phoebe jumped off the swing. “Ow. That never hurt my ankles when I was a kid.” She hobbled closer to Jonathan. “Have you really?”

He nodded. He reached for her waist and looked down at her. Phoebe savored the view: Jonathan’s familiar face, radiating joy.

“I think that’s why it never worked out with anyone else. No one else felt right. Because they weren’t you.”

Phoebe tugged him closer. “You know, you might be onto something there.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought I was broken.” Phoebe laughed lightly. “Truly. I’ve been formulating a theory that I just wasn’t cut out for love. Because I never…” She hesitated. It felt terribly vulnerable and honest to admit her next thought out loud. But vulnerability was what they were doing here, wasn’t it? That was kind of the whole point. “I dated here and there, but I never fell in love. And now… now it all makes sense.”

Jonathan shook his head in amazement. “What took us so long?”

“Well, you were determined never to speak to me again. But I don’t blame you. As for me, I think my workaholic tendencies kept me from thinking about any of this too much. I’m always so focused on work, it barely leaves room for anything else.”

“And now?”

“Now…” Phoebe thought about how if she hadn’t been fired, she would never have done the home swap, and if she hadn’t done the home swap, she wouldn’t have reunited with Jonathan. “I think the work gods decided to give me a helping hand.”

“I would never wish for you—or anyone—to get fired, but I’m glad you did.”

There was a long pause as the topic of their business plan hung in the air. Phoebe was, frankly, scared to bring it up. She had almost chased Jonathan away for good by talking about their business when she should have been focused on them.

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Jonathan said. “I would like to continue working on our company.”

Oh, thank God, Phoebe thought but managed not to say out loud. She simply nodded, trying to smile a normal, sane amount.

“But now that we’ve established that we are—you know—more than just business partners, how about if we take a little no-work-allowed vacation first?”

“Vacation?” Phoebe’s first reaction was one of fear. What about her goal of finishing the proposal by the new year? Well, that was only two days away, so that goal was probably already a bust. And, she reminded herself, she was focusing on something new now. Jonathan. Their relationship. The word thrilled her. She remembered what Tina had said: that there would always be time for work as long as she lived. But this was her chance to make things work with Jonathan. A chance she’d never even known to hope for.

“No work allowed?” Phoebe said.

“Think you’re up for it?”

“It’ll be hard, but I’m always up for a challenge.”

“I’ll do my best to distract you.”

Phoebe’s skin pimpled with anticipation. Jonathan gave her a long, lingering kiss.

“Did you have anyplace in mind?” Phoebe asked.