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“But I wanted to hear it from you,” he continues. “And to be sure of my feelings. A lot’s changed in the past few days.”
Changed for good?
Or worse?
Chapter Thirty-Four
Emma
“What are your feelings?” I whisper, not letting my heart leap the way it wants to. He hasn’t actually said anything yet.
“I’ve missed you. I understand where you’re coming from now. And I want to move on from this. As long as you can guarantee me there are no more surprises.”
I choke back a sob, covering my mouth with my palm. “There’s nothing else,” I murmur, overcome with emotion.
“Good. Would you be open to going to counseling together? To make sure we’re on the same page?”
I nod frantically. “Absolutely.”
He reaches a hand out and I grab it like it’s a lifeline, squeezing tight.
“Come here.” He pulls me toward him, and I gladly follow, climbing onto his lap and wrapping my arms around him. The feel of his powerful body next to mine, safe in his embrace after days apart, is like heaven.
Tears leak out, wetting his shirt as I press my face tightly into him, overwhelming relief coursing through me. I didn’t know I could be this light again after all that’s happened.
He rubs soft circles along my back, murmuring, “I’ve thought about you pretty much nonstop. I’m sorry I was so angry.”
“You had every right to be.”
“If I’d calmed down and listened to you that day so you could explain everything, it wouldn’t have been so bad. I can’t believe Greg did that to you.”
I lean back, wiping the last of the tears from my eyes. “I’m not wasting any more of my energy on him. I only want to think about you. About us.”
He cups my face gently, the love that’s been missing from his gaze finally there again. “I like the sound of that. But—”
No. No buts. I hate that word.
“I’m still who I am. The media will still write things about me on gossip sites. Still search me out for pictures. Still pry into my personal business. There’s nothing I can do to change that. And I hate to put you through that. I’d shield you from it if I could.”
“I’m prepared for anything. I know it’s not the same as it was with my parents, that you’re not hiding me away like a dirty secret.”
“No, you’re not that.” He tucks an errant curl back behind my ear, love in his action. “Not at all. I can draft something for Angelina to release confirming our relationship. I don’t want either of us to hide anything anymore.”
“But the company—”
“If there’s backlash, so be it. I’m done worrying about it. You don’t work for me any longer, so there’s no conflict of interest. People can think whatever they want.”
“If you’re sure. I don’t want to cause trouble for you.”
“You’ve been trouble from the start, haven’t you?” He grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “But so worth it.” His hands settle on my waist, steadying me, palms hot through the thin fabric of my dress. God, it’s good to feel his touch again.
“What are you doing for money?” he asks. “Are you okay?”
“I got a new job. Yesterday, actually. I’m officially a seamstress.”
“What about your business idea?”
“I’d still like to do that someday. But with a loan from a bank. I don’t want to be in your debt.”