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He tapped his fingers on the saucer’s edge. “I know we have a long way to go, but unless you tell me it’s hopeless, I don’t plan on letting up until my ring’s on your finger and my last name is behind your first again. If you’d like to give me your answer, I wouldn’t mind.”
“Wow,” Tielle could only manage.
His easy expression clouded. “Please tell me it’s not too late.”
“Are you for real?” Her eyes sparkled with moisture. “It’s never been too late. I stayed with Des a week after the divorce was final, hoping you’d come to say you’d made a mistake and that you wanted me again.”
“Tel.” Grae sighed, leaving his chair to come round and lean on the edge of the table. He pulled her up against him. “I always wanted you. Somehow I was dense enough not to realize how much until I lost you. I love you, Tielle.”
“I love you.” She smoothed her hands across his shoulders, powerful and sturdy beneath an oak-colored suit coat. “And I’d like to try something you suggested to Des a week ago.”
He watched her curiously.
“Unless you’re devoted to dissecting, analyzing and apologizing for every awful part of the last year, how about we just forget it? I don’t know about you, but I can think of a lot better memories we can make.”
Grae toyed with the lengthy sleeve of her crimson toga dress. “Does that mean you’re ready to give me an answer?”
“The answer is yes, Graedon Clegg. The only question is when.” Tielle spoke her question against her fiancé’s mouth.
“You need to be sure, Tel. Remember, I’m unemployed at the momentÁ.”
“I wouldn’t call consulting with Leo about Clegg unemployed. Do you think you can hold off going back to the office till after the honeymoon?”
“No need.” He gathered her closer. “The great thing about consulting is you can do it anywhere. So if you think I’d leave you in Vancouver even for a day to go sit up in an office, you’re out of your mind.”
“Do you mean…?” Her gaze narrowed. “You’d really consider staying?”
“Done more than consider it, Tel. I’ve decided. As CEO, it was my right to name my successor. Leo’s more than capable, and when he’s had enough, we’ll put someone in charge who’s equally capable.”
“Sounds too good to be true.” She shook her head even as she smiled.
“There’s a catch.” He outlined her plump mouth beneath his thumb. “As much as I love Turner Estates, I have enough memories of the place to last a lifetime. How ’bout we find our own estate?”
Her smile brightened. “To fill with our own better memories.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “For the rest of our lives, Tielle. For the rest of our lives.”
* * * * *
