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“Wow.” She blinked again. Now he was almost positive she was keeping back tears. His precious, wonderful Fiona. Was she wondering what place in his life would be left for her? “Will you be spending the summer holidays with them?”
“I am. How about you?” he asked. “Are you close to your family?” Testing the waters, to see if she’d be willing to spend time with him.
“No siblings—I’m an only child.” Her smile wavered a little.
“I hate that,” Jake began.
“Don’t.” She shook her head. “Don’t pity me. It’s all right. I’m used to being alone.” Then, clearly trying to change the subject, she told him she’d heard that some of Micheline’s followers had turned against her, particularly after having learned she kept people in a basement. “They’re willing to testify against her,” she said. “Including Harley Watts, who sent the original email to the board about the baby switch.”
“That’s great,” he replied, refusing to be deterred. “But I don’t pity you, Fiona.” He shook his head. “Never that. I was used to being alone, too. I told myself that I didn’t even mind it. But being accustomed to something doesn’t mean you have to like it.”
Did she get the hint? Heart pounding, he waited for her response.
“Of course.” Now she wouldn’t look at him. “And I envy you that. But how do you think it would be for me, knowing you dragged me to your family’s celebrations, just because you didn’t want me to be by myself?”
He took a step closer. “That’s not why I want to spend more time with you,” he said. “I want to be with the person I love the most in the entire world. You.”
Now she got it. She froze. “Do you really mean that?” she whispered, her gaze locking on his.
“I do.” Now he went to her, pulling her into his arms. “From the moment we first met, I knew there was something special. A connection. I know you felt it, too.”
Face against his chest, she nodded. “I like how you let me be vulnerable,” she said, her arms wrapped around him as she held on tight. “Being strong all the time can be tiring.”
“I know. We’ve been through hell and back in the last few weeks. You’re the strongest person I know. That’s one of the many things I love about you.”
She sniffed and started trembling. Stunned, he realized she actually was crying now. “Please don’t cry,” he said, helpless in the face of feminine tears.
“I’m trying not to.” Lifting her head, she angrily swiped at her face. “It’s just that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“That you’re strong? I find it hard to believe no one’s ever remarked on that before.”
“No.” She gave him a watery smile. “That you love me. I love you, too, you know.”
He debated pretending shock but settled for kissing her instead.
* * *
