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I push both our plates away and haul her across the small space. She gives a little yelp when she lands in my lap.
“Why’d you do that?” she sputters.
“Because I want you surrounded by me whenever you say what you’re going to say.”
“I did choose you. It wasn’t all a lie. I loved my life in Miami, too. Everything was a factor in my original decision, but when I stepped back, it was mostly you. And I wanted you to choose me too. When you didn’t, my heart was crushed, but I was prepared to stick to my guns, stay in Miami, and go on without you. Then it was all too much, and when I saw that video, I knew I couldn’t stay in Miami and take the chance of seeing you with other women. I chickened out and decided to leave.”
“You know she meant nothing to me. She’s a no one in my world.”
“But it left me with a gaping wound. I needed you to choose me, and you didn’t. So in the end, I think maybe you were right about the space thing. While I’m away, we can take the time apart—”
“Stop right there,” I cut her off before she can finish her statement. “The last thing I want is space. When you leave here, we’re together as a couple. The two of us and no one else. I did choose you. Every mistake I’ve made is because of loving you so much, but I learned the error of my ways. I’m not losing you again, Grace.”
“Grandpa told me to give you a chance. He told me you’d apologize, and I didn’t listen to him. I acted irrationally, and now—”
“Shh.” I place a finger to her lips then replace it with my mouth, kissing her lightly.
“No, you have to let me finish. This is important.”
“No, I don’t.” I stand, going back to the bedroom.
She opens her mouth then snaps it shut when I stop walking and press her up against wall, grinding my hips into hers.
“We’re not going to West Palm. What’s most important now is that I go back to making love to you until we have to head back to Miami tomorrow morning. All this shit is meaningless now. We’re putting it behind us, not discussing it, not mentioning it again. The rest of the day and night, it’s just you and me only.”
She lets out a breathy sigh and nods, bringing her mouth to my ear. “Just remember how much I love you when I’m gone.”
Chapter 30
Grace
Nick: Call me the instant you wake up, no matter what time.
It’s only seven a.m. in Miami, which means it’s five a.m. in Denver, but I do as I’m asked and call him.
“’lo,” he answers, his voice husky and full of sleep.
“Hi.” I burrow deeper into his pillow, smelling the faint scent of him.
“Where are you?” He’s fully awake now.
“In your bed. Where’d you think I’d be?”
“Thank God. Shaw and Mathis called and said you girls went out last night. I wanted to make sure you weren’t in jail.”
“Nick! It was one time, and it wasn’t jail. It was a sober cell.”
“Whatever, I didn’t hear back from you last night and spent half of the night worrying and the other half bugging the shit out of my brothers.”
“Nick, I think they were trying to rile you up. I spent the night at the gallery, working on some last minute notes for Logan. Bizzy and Claire stopped by for a minute to check on me, but it was brief. I think everyone had plans. Claire, specifically, was ready to show off her new lingerie. She said Mathis had been working thirty-six hours straight.”
“Assholes.”
“Besides, I don’t think Bizzy’s breaking any laws right now, including drinking.”
“She told you?” he asks with a mixture of surprise and relief.
“You know?” Now, I’m surprised.
