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?"I thought I heard you in here. Oh no. What’s wrong? What is it, Lizzie?" Sarah grills me; One towel is wrapped snuggly around her body and her hair is wrapped up in another.
?"I was ju-just thinking," I hiccup with tears and snot running down my face.
?"Hey, hey, hey! Take a deep breath. In and out. In and out," Sarah instructs.
?"What will happen if Miles and I don’t work out? What if-if we break up? Do you think we’re moving too fast?"
?"Lizzie, look at me. You and Miles are in love. If you don't work out, then you will get your ass back here. I don't plan on getting another roommate. I got a big raise at work, and I like this apartment, so I’m not planning on moving. So, if something unfortunate were to happen, which I really don't think will, you’ll have a place to fall back on. Everything could fall apart tomorrow, but what if everything falls together, and you get everything that you have ever wanted?" she poses and hands me a towel that was on top of my hamper, so I can wipe all the crap off my face.
?I just nod because that puts me at ease a bit. Then I remember something else she mentioned. "Wait! When did you get a raise? And congratulations! I am so proud of you!" I squeeze her in a tight hug.
?"It was this past week. With everything that’s been going on with you, I didn't mention it."
?"Oh. Sarah, you can tell me anything, anytime ever. I promise. Nothing could keep me from being so proud of you!"
?"I know, girl! I just wanted you to get better. Here, let me get dressed, so we can go grab a coffee. Sound good?"
?"Of course. Now you’re speaking my language!" I chuckle and wipe away the last remaining tears. Sarah gets up to get dressed, and I go to the bathroom and try and fix the mess I’m sure my face has become.
?"I’m going to borrow some makeup," I call out. I’mgoing to miss this. I won’t be able to borrow her stuff all the time anymore. That’s another sobering thought. I look at myself in the mirror and see a brightness in my eyes that hasn’t been there in a long time. I know the reason for it is Miles. He breathed life back into my battered soul, bringing me out of my comfort zone and into a universe filled with love and happiness.
?A few hours and a couple of coffees later, I'm on the way back to Miles' penthouse, or rather our penthouse. That is definitely going to take a while to get used to saying. I gave my official manuscript to Sarah, since she’s going to be my PR person if this novel takes off. She assured me she would send it to all the best publishing companies in the country, so now I just have to wait. Since no one at Knight Publishing Company will know who the author is, I told her she could send it to them. I just didn’t want any preferential treatment, but since I am using a pen name, that no longer concerns me.
?Thomas helps me into the elevator with the bags I packed. "Do you need me to come up with you to get these in their proper places?”
"No. Thank you, Thomas. You have done plenty. I can get these. Thank you for all your help today."
?"It was a pleasure, Miss Lizzie. Have a good evening."
?"You as well, Thomas."
?Once I waddle into the apartment holding all my bags, I drop them at the entrance and take a deep breath. I realize I don’t feel the fear I felt a few hours ago. That’s why Sarah is my person. She’s helped me through almost everything in my life and continues to help me every day. She is truly an amazing person.
?"Lizzie, is that you?" I hear Miles call from the kitchen.
?"Yeah, just getting in," I yell back.
?He comes out of the kitchen, and my heart skips a beat at the sight in front of me. Miles has his tie off and the top few buttons of his shirt are undone. He’s rolled up his sleeves to the elbows, showing off his sinewy muscles. My mouth waters at the sight. He crosses the room in quick strides and lifts me in one fluid motion, then presses me up against the wall, my legsautomatically going around his waist.
?"I love that I’ll be able to do this any time I want to," he murmurs in my ear, sending shivers down my body. "Mmm, you smell so good. Anytime I smell vanilla, I instantly look around to see if you’re nearby. You have ruined me for baked goods, my love." A deep chuckle rumbles from my chest.
?"I think you can manage."
?Miles' lips rapidly cover my lips, and his whiskey-tinged tongue collides with mine. His hands, tangling in my long hair, provokes intense emotions that permeate my body. I pull back just a moment and stare up at my piercing, blue-eyed knight. He may not be in armor, but he is no less the hero to my story.
Chapter 35
Miles
Today we’re flying out of New York City and heading to Savannah to spend Christmas with Lizzie's family. Thomas came upstairs to help get the bags down to the car while Lizzie is running around the penthouse making sure we have everything we need. While she’s preoccupied, I walk into our large closet and open a small, hidden drawer that no one would know about unless they were told. I take out the little blue box, flipping it open and looking at the ring I had custom made for Lizzie a few weeks ago. Not long after we met, I knew she was the one; and I didn’t want to wait forever to pop the question. This little trip seems like the perfect time. I pocket the box and walk out of the closet, just in time to see Lizzie coming up the stairs toward me.
"I forgot my laptop. I need to take it in case I hear back from any publishing companies while we are gone," she insists, as she flies past me to grab her laptop bag. I wish she would’ve sent her manuscript to our company, but she’s big on getting her book published based on its own merit, which I can understand. She also said that Sarah is the one that sent her manuscript out because she’s going to be Lizzie's PR rep.
Once we get down to the car, Thomas closes our door, and we head toward the airport. Since we are taking my personal jet, we don't have to go through the busy terminals. We can just pull right up beside the plane, which is exactly how I like it. I don't fly commercial unless I absolutely must.
"Are you excited to be going home, sweetheart?"
"I am. It seems like it’s been forever since I was there. I couldn't make it for Christmas last year, so it's been a while.I know my mom will be happy to see me and meet you," she replies.
