Page 163 of Beautiful Lies

It’s led me to this point.

And Knox.

Oh God… Knox.

He’s like the angel who walked into my life and gave me everything I ever wanted.

None of this would have been possible without him.

He’s in the car waiting for me. I can’t wait to get to him and tell him what happened. My pace quickens at the thought.

Crisp, fresh air greats me when I step outside the building. I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady myself as I look down the road at the Maybach.

I barely take a step before the car door swings open and Knox is hurrying toward me.

I rush him, too, smiling so wide my face hurts.

The moment we meet, I throw my arms around him and squeal.

“Oh my God, Knox. Oh my God.” A small laugh breaks out of me. Half sob, half joy.

He spins me around. “I take it you got the job.”

“I did,” I whisper, then I laugh out loud. “I… got the job.”

Knox sets me down and cups my face with both hands, pride filling his eyes. “I knew it. I knew you’d get it.”

“Thank you for believing in me.”

He lifts my chin, his thumb brushing away a tear I didn’t even know had fallen. “It wasn’t that hard to do. Now, this is the job you can keep. The other one can go.”

“Yes, I’ll quit.”

We both laugh, but as I stare back at him, my heart cracks open. I think of what my life is supposed to look like in the next two months and feel sick.

The tears come faster. Knox strokes my jaw, and I can tell he senses the shift in the emotion behind my tears.

“Talk to me, love. You’re crying. Those don’t look like happy tears anymore.”

I drag in a haggard breath. “They’re not. Because you’re not an asshole anymore, and I don’t hate you.”

“No?” His eyes spark with mischief.

“No.”

“Why is that so bad, love?” He searches my eyes.

“Because… what the hell am I going to do in two months when I’m not with you?”God.There. I said it. I spoke the words I never thought I could say to him.

At first, he stares at me, and the surge of emotion in his eyes throws me. For a moment, I’m not sure what he’ll say, then he tilts his head and shakes it.

“I’m… not letting you go, Isla.”

My pulse stops, and something crashes into my chest. “What did you say?” I whisper, hope blooming.

He steps closer. “I’m not letting you go. That’s crazy, isn’t it? I was the one who told you not to fall for me, thenIfell for you.”

I just stare at him, trembling, because no one has ever said anything like that to me. No one has ever chosen me with that kind of certainty. “It’s a good thing I didn’t listen to you. Because I fell for you, too.”