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Rose laughed as she drifted away.
I reached for another toothpick of yummies when my entire body heated. Without even turning around, I said, “I was wondering when you would break away from Janet’s parents.”
A low chuckle came, followed by warm breath on my neck.
“You look so freaking hot in this red dress.”
Tilting my head to give him better access, Lucas placed a kiss on my neck.
“Mmm, I believe you’ve told me once or twice.”
“It’s the truth, and it’s driving me crazy. When can we leave?”
Turning, I pushed an olive into his mouth. “Not until it’s over, or at least until after we finish dinner.”
He dropped his shoulders and groaned.
I patted his chest. “It’s not so bad.”
Lucas smiled. “The house and the room are beautiful, Hollie. I’m so very proud of you, I hope you know that. And I would never ask you to…”
His voice trailed off.
“Ask me to what?”
With a tight smile, he lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. He had a habit of doing that, and I loved it. Sometimes he switched it up and kissed my wrist, which turned me on like crazy.
“I’m just so damn proud of you. I don’t tell you nearly enough.”
My heart melted, and my knees went weak. I hated to see the conflict in his eyes; the only thing I wanted to do was take it away. The best way to do that was to be honest.
“I know about Ireland.”
The color from his face drained. “Is that why you said you wanted to take a break? I would never in a million years ask you to step away from your career or your life here in Salem, or–”
“Let me rephrase that. I know you’ve been stressing about something to do with Ireland, but I’m not sure exactly what it is. And to answer your question, no. I had no idea until today.”
He narrowed one eye suspiciously. “Shawn told you?”
“No, Kristin. Apparently, their relationship has moved to sharing secrets.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. “I was planning on talking to you about it tonight, I swear. I just wasn’t sure it was something I even wanted to do.”
Taking his hands in mine, I smiled up at him. “We can talk about it after the shower, but know one thing, Lucas Dayton. I love you with my heart and soul, and I know you would never ask me to do something unless it meant a lot to you. I’m home when I’m with you. You are my safe place. The only place I want to be. Everything else is a bonus.”
He dropped my hands and cupped my face. “How did I get so lucky to have you love me? And why did we waste all those years being so stupid?”
I giggled. “Hardheaded, I guess.”
He ran his thumb over my lower lip. “I love you so much, Hollie. More than you’ll ever know.”
Reaching up, I kissed him softly. “I think I know because I feel the same.”
He studied my face, then dropped his eyes to my mouth, then moved them back up again. He shook his head. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait to do it.”
“What?” I asked, confused as he took my hand and then pulled me through his parents’ house, past onlookers who were just as shocked as I was as Lucas practically ran through the house with me trailing behind him.
“Excuse me. Excuse us,” I said as I gave a smile of apology to the number of people who he nearly knocked over.
