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40
LANA
“I knew you were a smart man,”I said to Dylan as he came in with the food from Gianelli’s. He was a little early, but I’d expected that.
He put the food on the table and pulled me close to kiss me.
“I had it under good authority that I’d better not be late. Didn’t want to ruin my reputation of showing up.”
I laughed at his arched eyebrow. Then I put my arms around his neck and gazed up at him.
“You did tell me once that if I needed anything, that you’d always show up for me.”
Dylan’s smile softened as he lowered his head to kiss me. He always had been there for me.
Even during the years when we lived states apart, not communicating aside from one sympathy card I sent. I think I knew deep down that if I’d called him for anything, he’d have dropped anything he needed to show up for me.
I definitely knew it now.
We had dinner with Dylan sitting right next to me, as if he couldn’t stand to be too far away.
“You remembered the extra breadsticks. I’m impressed.”
“You deserve all the breadsticks for the magic you’ve worked with Emberox Spirits.” He used a fingertip to brush my hair off my forehead. “And for other things.”
We talked about the upcoming tasting event a little.
“To you,” he finally said, holding up his wine glass. “And your fantastic job with Emberox Spirits.”
We toasted, and then Dylan took my hand in his. He pressed my palm against his cheek then brushed his lips over my knuckles.
“I’m full,” he said softly.
“Me too. I should clean this up.”
“Leave it. We’ll get it later.” Dylan pulled me up as he stood and hauled me close against him. He held me like we were going to slow dance, but instead, he stared down into me.
“Still the most gorgeous blue eyes I’ve ever seen,” he said softly. Then he brushed his knuckles against my cheek. “You’re so beautiful, Lana.”
“You keep saying things like that, you just might get lucky,” I teased.
“Iamlucky,” he said. He kissed me softly and slowly. “Lucky just to be here with you at all.”
I sensed that everything else was going to be forgotten for the time being anyway, so I started in the direction of the bedroom.
He kissed me until my legs came up against my bed. “I can’t imagine having to be apart from you. Not when I’m so in love with you I can hardly think straight.”
My breath caught.
It felt like everything I’d wanted had come true.
Dylan Easton loved me.
“Dylan—”
He stopped me with his kiss. Whether it was to make it clear he didn’t expect me to say it back yet, or because he was afraid I wouldn’t, I didn’t know.
Whichever it was that had him stop me from answering what he said, I was grateful. Because I wasn’t ready to say it yet. A small part of me still feared getting hurt. But I felt it. I’d felt it for a long time.
