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My hand covers his on my cheek. I’ve missed his touch. “You’d move to Houston for me? Restart your company there?”
He nods. “One hundred percent.”
“All because you love me?” A lump lodges in my throat.
“I love you so much. I mean… I’d love for you to stay in New York and work for me here, but I can’t afford you.”
I’m shocked and touched that he trusts and values me enough—a newbie who can’t offer him any clients—to even offer that.
He continues. “I need a creative director but Coddle will give you everything you’ve ever wanted. You’d be established and secure and we could settle down in Houston.”
He remembers.He remembers the reason why I didn’t want a boyfriend until I could stand on my own two feet. And he’s right, Coddle’s salary would offer me the benefits and salary to be independent, but at the same time, I’d be limiting my creativity. Being able to only work with Coddle brands sounds a bit boring for the long term.
The sound of a throat clearing interrupts us. I’d forgotten we were in the middle of a restaurant.
We turn to Blair as she stands from the table. “I’m going to leave you two to hash this out.” She touches my shoulder and squeezes. “Call me when you have an answer.”
“Thanks, Blair.”
“I’m just glad no one will be with Jacobson and Earl.” She chuckles and leaves the restaurant.
“So…” I say, my eyes casting to the table, and we sit.
“We’re good? You forgive me?” he asks, sliding his chair closer.
If we weren’t in public, I’d jump in his lap. “Do you forgive me? I’m sorry for always keeping you at arm’s length, but I was afraid you’d wake up one morning and realize that you’d had enough of me.”
He crinkles his forehead. “Don’t you understand? You’re everything to me. These past two weeks without you, I’ve thrown myself into work, so I didn’t have to face the reality that I’d lost you. I was trying to get every client so the company would be big enough for you to come work with me and still have the independence you want.” His gaze falls to the floor. “One day it will, but for now, you’re going to Coddle, and I’ll build us an empire.”
I place my finger under his chin and bring it up so his eyes meet mine. “How about we build that empire together?”
I never wanted to move to Houston to work for Coddle. The money was hard to pass up, but I don’t want to leave my family and have a niece who barely knows me. I understand what I’m sacrificing, but I believe in myself and I believe in Enzo.
I believe in us.
“What? No. Annie. No.” He shakes his head.
“Yes.” I place my hands on his cheeks. “I want to work for you.”
He’s silent, and I can’t help but think he’s going to turn me down and force me to go to Coddle. Well, if he does, he’ll have a fight on his hands.
“We’ll be equals.” He grabs my hands and brings them down to his lap.
“We won’t be equals. You’re the owner. Just don’t surprise me again.”
“You said you love surprises,” he says with a laugh.
“Yeah, flowers and candies and parties.”
He leans toward me. “Done.”
“Come on.” I stand. “Take me home.”
“Gladly.” He takes my hand, and we walk out of the restaurant onto the busy Manhattan sidewalk. “I only have one condition with the new company. No rock, paper, scissors to see who does what.”
I laugh, and he’s quick to maneuver my back to the brick wall, his lips millimeters from mine.
“And here I thought I had the advantage,” I say.
“Oh, you have the advantage.”
I wind my arms around his neck. “I love you, Mr. Mancini.”
“Didn’t I warn you about using that outside of the bedroom?”
“You’re my boss now, I have to show respect.”
He rolls his eyes. “Please, we both know who’s the boss.”
I laugh, but his mouth falls to mine and my sounds quickly turn into a moan, as they always do.
