Page 46 of Dual

Shesmiles, a hint of shyness in her eyes. "Whatever you say, Mr. Callaghan."

The car ride downtown is peaceful. Anna chatters about final arrangements for the gala, checking her phone occasionally for updates from the committee.

"Oh!" Anna exclaims suddenly, scrolling through her phone. "They've added the ice sculpture I suggested—a winter wonderland scene. I wasn't sure they'd do it."

I smile wide, cheeks hurting at how adorable she is. "Of course they did. Who could say no to you?"

She blushes, tucking her phone away. "You're biased."

"Guilty as charged."

She takes my hand, lacing our fingers together as she gazes out the window at the Dallas skyline, buildings adorned with Christmas lights glittering against the night sky.

"Remember our first Christmas together?" she asks quietly. "After I came back from Chicago?"

I nod, the memory bittersweet. "You insisted on making Christmas cookies, even though neither of us knew what we were doing."

She laughs. "They were terrible! Burnt on the edges and raw in the middle."

"We just picked off the burnt part and they were perfect. Who says no to warm cookie dough? Besides, remember?" I squeeze her hand. "You said they had character."

Her smile softens, turning wistful. "I was just so happy to be home with you." She pauses, her voice dropping. "Sometimes I still can't believe this is real—that we found our way back to each other after everything."

The weight of our years apart settles between us—the searching, the pain, the obstacles. The Librarian, Anna's father. The master manipulator who nearly destroyed us both.

But we're here now. Against all odds.

"I'd find you anywhere," I tell her, letting the truth of that statement sink in. "In any lifetime. There's no version of me that doesn't belong to you."

Her eyes glisten, but she blinks back tears, careful not to ruin her makeup. "We're going to be disgustingly happy, aren't we? For the rest of our lives?"

"That's the plan, love."

The car slows, pulling up to the grand entrance of the Rosemont Hotel. Through the window, I can see the red carpet, the doormen in their crisp uniforms, the Christmas decorations glittering in the light.

"Ready?" I ask.

But Anna pulls back. "Oh, I need to be dropped off around back so I can coordinate with Jessica and deal with some last-minute catering details."

I laugh gently. "Well, I'm sure you can do that once we're inside." But she's still shaking her head and pulling deeper into the limo away from me, eyes on the flashing bulbs.

Immediately, I sense fear from her. "Hey." I put a hand on her knee. "Are you okay? Is something wrong?"

Her eyes come back to me, and she shakes her head witha ready smile, laughing at herself. "I think I'll just feel a little less overwhelmed going in the back. Is that okay?" She squeezes my hand. "But go, go. Everyone's waiting to capture your picture, Mr. Handsome and Important."

I stay, eyes furrowed for another moment until I assure myself it is just her nerves about the gala.

"Text me when you're inside so I can find you."

"All right." She leans forward and kisses me.

I linger in the kiss until she pulls back and smacks me on the shoulder. "Go!"

"Fine."

I breathe in one more long sight of the gorgeous woman I want to be my wife sooner rather than later, then head out onto the red carpet and explosions of flashbulbs.

FIFTEEN