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She shook her head. “I mean really happy, Simon. The way you felt when you found out you got to keep the farm. The way you felt when you signed that paperwork with Megan and Daniel. Those were moments in your life that you will never forget. They’re such a part of your core, I could never ask you to leave them behind.”
Here she was, putting her heart out on the line. Yes, there was less risk involved after he’d taken charge and told her exactly how he felt. But that didn’t change the fact that she felt one hundred percent vulnerable in this very moment. She was so humbled by it all that she couldn’t find the words she really wanted to say.
“Hey, why are you crying?”
She blinked and another tear slipped down her cheek. “So I am,” she murmured, wiping at her cheek with her fingertips. “I’m just so… happy.” She forced a smile, but Simon wasn’t having any of it.
“That doesn’t look like a happy smile.”
“It is,” she insisted. “These are happy tears. And there’s only one thing I have left to do.”
“What’s that?” His arms tightened around her waist, and he pressed his forehead against hers. “What are you going to do?”
Katrina let out a sad little laugh. “I need you to forgive me. I can’t believe I let my selfish impulses drive my decisions. I want you to know that I’m going to change. I’m going to take more responsibility and make choices that will benefit us both.” She placed her hand to his cheek again. “We both deserve to be happy.”
“Amen,” he murmured, tilting her chin upward.
“Does this mean you’ll forgive me?” she rasped as he drew closer.
His hot breath grazed her face. “You didn’t even have to ask.”
His lips captured Katrina’s, stealing her breath and making it incredibly difficult to stay balanced on her own two legs. She leaned into him, giving her whole spirit to their future together.
Something that at one time had felt outrageous was now the one thing that made sense. Simon was her best friend. He knew her inside and out. He loved her more than anyone else.
Katrina was the first to break the kiss as the world around them came back into focus. Several of her co-workers were giving them incredulous looks and she let out a quiet laugh. “I guess it’s a good thing I won’t be working here anymore. I don’t think I’d hear the end of this.”
His mouth quirked upward at the corners. “You’re probably right.”
She reached for his hand. “I love you. I’m so glad you came.”
“Me too,” he murmured before kissing her temple. “Now I just have to figure out where I’m going to stay for the next day or so.” He squeezed her hand. “Even if there was room at your place, I don’t think it’d be wise to spend another moment with Becca.”
Katrina laughed. “She’s harmless. She might talk a little too much, but she’s actually a really good friend. You know what? I’m going to see if I can get off early today so I can show you around. How does that sound?”
“I think it sounds perfect.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Six monthslater
Time had flownby since the afternoon when Simon had poured his heart out to Katrina. Hindsight being what it was, he shouldn’t have been so nervous.
Well, not as nervous as he was today. Because this evening, he had something big planned.
Never in a million years did Simon think his life would get to this point. Katrina had always just been that friend who made him feel special. She had been the one to assure him that he was where he was always meant to be.
It wasn’t that he was worried Katrina would turn him down. He had more confidence in their relationship than ever before. No, his nerves stemmed from his desire to ensure everything was perfect. She had given up so much to be with him, from leaving her corporate job in the city to moving to a place where she never wanted to end up—he wanted to make sure she was happy.
Most importantly, he wanted to make sure she was happy with him.
His whole body was on edge. And while he was supposed to be focused on the meeting at hand, he couldn’t seem to pay attention.
“Simon, are you with us?”
He snapped his head up and stared at Daniel. “Yes, of course.”
Daniel glanced from Simon to the handful of other men who were now working for him. Their training business had exploded, which meant additional hands were needed to keep the dairy farm running. And since Daniel was part owner of the training program, he insisted on having weekly meetings. It was probably something that had carried over from when he owned the coffee shop in town.
