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He laughs. “I know you can’t because you’re stubborn as fuck. That’s why I’m listed as an investor. This is me investing in you. I believe in you. And actually, Citra does too. I told them about your concept, and they seemed impressed. They want to talk about some collaboration opportunities with a microdistillery they have plans for. I told ’em they’d have to talk to the boss.”
My smile grows ear to ear. My vision blurs, thanks to all the moisture in my eyes.
I climb on top of his waist and straddle him. “Oh my God. You’re serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. Anyone who’s ever met you knows how dedicated you are to this. If anyone can do it, it’s you. But we close in a couple weeks, so you may want to put your notice in soon. You’re about to be very busy, ’cause you were right...” He shakes his head and smirks. “That place is a total fucking fiasco. There’s so much work to do.”
Tears fall at their mercy, and now I’m doing this weird cry-laughing thing. I can’t believe this man. I’m speechless. My mind is spinning with the news. This is the greatest gift I’ve ever received, the most heartfelt and thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. He’s literally making my dreams come true. He wipes my tears away.
“What made you do this?”
“Love, mostly. But also because you are creative, ambitious, and intelligent. Like I said, it’s a solid investment. I’mdiversifying.”
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer to him. His eyes drop to my lips, and I grab him and kiss him with everything I have. This is everything I’ve ever wanted. He wipes away a couple more tears, and I rest my cheek on his chest. He rests his chin on the top of my head. I hug his torso for dear life.
“I love you so much.”
“I love you so much too. It’s me and you.”
“Stay with me tonight.” He doesn’t ask. “Stay with me every night.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
* * *
“Here are the keys. Congratulations, Rhys and Freya.”
“Thank you! Come see us at the grand opening. First drink on the house.”
Rhys hands me the keys, and I insist we drive straight there. I can’t wait to get started on the demolition. Birdie and Lonan are meeting us there so we can get some before pictures of the space; something that will remind us how far we’ve come.
When I step out of the car, my best friend is already there waiting for me.
“Micky! It’s happening!” Birdie runs up and holds me in a tight bear hug.
“I know! How many years have I been obsessing over this?”
“Too many. Half the reason I didn’t move back in with you was because I couldn’t handle one more night of you reciting cocktail recipes and monthly revenue statements in your sleep.”
Rhys unlocks the front door for us.
“Shut up.” I laugh, elbowing her off me.
Lonan pulls her into his side. “Hey, now, I thought I was the reason you didn’t move back in with Micky.”
“Of course, baby.” She holds her hand to block her lips and stage whispers,I didn’t want to hurt his feelingsout the corner of her mouth.
He grabs her sides and throws her over his shoulder as they step inside and wander around. “We’re going to go explore,” Lonan says.
“No fucking in my kitchen!” I call after them.
Rhys comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my stomach. I lean back into him.
“We have a lot of work to do,” he says.
“You know this would never have happened without you, Rhys.”
“Nah, you would have done it. You’re too stubborn to give up.”
