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Chapter thirty-one

Naomi

“Naomi likes to dabble a bit with different hobbies, as I’m sure some of you know. She’s got a touch of a silly dreamer’s spirit in her. But luckily, dear old dad knows what’s best. Nothing solidifies your commitment to the dealership quite like leading a department, am I right, dear?”

My cheeks heat with embarrassment, and I struggle to keep my composure and my jaw from dropping open.

The nerve of this man. Not once did he ask me if I wanted the position, and to call me out in front of basically the entire town is absolutely uncalled for.

How could he make a decision like this without talking to me?

There is zero part of me that wants to head up an entire department, and he should know that—he would if he had bothered to ask.

“Come on up here, Naomi. Don’t be shy,” he chides from the stage.

I feel about as small as an ant as he points in my direction, drawing attention toward me.

My first instinct is to cower and hide. Slip away and disappear into the crowd.

But a powerful frustration and hint of courage bubbles in my gut.

I feel emboldened with each second that passes as I watch him continue to gesture for me to join him.

The smug glint in his eye is the last straw, further maddening me.

This is it. The culmination of everything I’ve been working toward with Robbie.

I can do this.

I can do this without him here.

If I don’t stand up for myself with my dad right now, I have a feeling I never will. I summon every last scrap of assertion I can find and push my shoulders together while clearing my throat.

“Actually, Dad…I respectfully decline the position.” My strong voice does not sound like my own. I hardly recognize the unwavering confidence behind it, but it immediately fills me with even more.

A silent gasp rumbles through the crowd as Dad’s jaw clamps shut, his eyes narrowing at me. Both things would have certainly deflated the old me, but I refuse to focus on either of them.

“Pardon?” My dad huffs a haughty laugh in an attempt to cover his admonishing tone. “Surely, I heard you wrong. Now, don’t be difficult, and come on up here, Naomi.”

“No,” I say loud enough so there is no mistaking it this time. His eyes burn into mine, and his face grows red with anger. My confidence wavers under his glare, and I swallow, trying desperately to maintain my posture.

“Thank you for the opportunity, but I can’t accept the position.” My voice is quieter this time, but still assertive enough to garner my dad’s continued glare.

After a moment, he clears his throat and turns to address the crowd. “Well, clearly that minor issue still needs to be sorted out. Moving on…”

He continues with his speech, boasting about trivial things such as the shiny floors and fancy new inventory.

All the while, I keep my feet stuck to the ground, intent on holding my position.

My entire body flushes with adrenaline, but I don’t dare move.

I can feel eyes on me from every different angle, and I refuse to slink away into the crowd.

To my relief, he wraps things up quickly and exits the stage to the right, immediately getting lost in the sea of people. Feeling like I can finally release a breath, I make a half-turn toward the bar—and that’s when I see him.

Robbie.

He’s here.

More specifically, in the corner of the dealership, wedged behind a brand-new silver pickup truck and the coat rack.

He’s wearing a black suit and tie, and his gaze is firmly set on me.

My chest warms instantly, a rush of relief mixing with a brand new surge of adrenaline.

He immediately starts a slow saunter toward me, and I find my feet absentmindedly doing the same.

Eventually, we’re close enough for him to reach for my hand.

The slow gesture comes with a probing look in his eyes.

A question.

An apology all in one.

“You’re here,” I whisper, running my free hand down the front of his coat pocket, admiring how handsome he looks dressed up.

Gosh, I missed him.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he says gruffly.

“It’s okay,” I say meekly with a shake of my head.

“No, it’s not,” he says firmly. “I planned to be back to take you here tonight, but my plane was delayed.”

“Oh,” is all I can say. A million questions run through my mind, but none seem pressing enough to ask in this moment. He’s here. And that’s all that matters right now.

“Dance with me,” he says. It comes out as a desperate plea rather than a request. He should know it would be an easy yes.

“Alright,” I whisper.

He leads me to the middle of the dance floor, where I’m keenly aware of the prying eyes in the crowd that are still following me.

I tuck myself into him as he places a strong hand on the small of my back.

I breathe him in, and the relief of having him so close quiets my still-pounding heart.

Being in his arms feels soothing. Like returning to something familiar. Like the comfort of home.

“Are we okay?” he asks quietly.

I nod my head, keeping my eyes locked with his. “We can talk tomorrow. But for now, I’m just glad you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” He says it pointedly, as if to emphasize the truth behind his words. It’s the first time he’s ever mentioned even remotely wanting to be here, and I store every little bit of that detail in the back of my head for later.

“I’m guessing by the look of pride in your eyes that you saw what happened with my dad.” My mouth curls up in a bashful smirk.

“This is just the way I look at you,” he murmurs. “But yes, I did. And it was incredible. I was this close to starting a slow clap for you from back there in the corner.”

“I embarrassed him in front of his entire company.” I cringe. “Do you know how mad he is right now?”

“Let him be mad. That’s not your responsibility, remember? You stood up for yourself like the confident woman you are.”

“Does this mean I’m no longer a pushover?” My head dips to his chest to hide a grin.

“I would say you aced the final.” He laughs. Then he tilts my chin up and presses his forehead to mine. “But can I still be your boyfriend?”

My heart soars, threatening to jump out of my chest. “Yes, please,” I whisper.

“That easily? I was prepared to do some groveling.”

“I mean, groveling never hurts.”

He chuckles, pulling me even closer.

“Oh…you should know that your brother is here,” I say cautiously, bracing myself for his reaction.

“I know,” he says calmly. “I saw him across the room when I walked in.”

“And you’re okay with that?” My eyes narrow.

He nods, his eyes skating across my face. “I’m sick of letting my family dictate what I do and what I want. I’m done with all that. I’m here because you’re here. End of story. I’ll figure out the rest as I go.”

My teeth bite into my bottom lip through a grin as I wrap my arms tighter around his neck. Words don’t come to my mind, only a rush of overwhelming relief.

He came back.

For me.

I absentmindedly graze my fingers along the scruff at the base of his neck as I soak in the reality of his words and roam the crowd that has, thankfully, shifted their focus off me.

I freeze when I notice my dad on the other side of the dance floor and I hold my breath, waiting to see if he’ll storm over here. But Mom is the one who catches sight of me first. To my relief, she loops her arm in his and turns, distracting him with something in the opposite direction.

When she looks back at me, I give her a small, grateful smile. I know I’ll have to face my dad soon enough, but I’d be more than happy if it doesn’t happen tonight.

I tuck my head into Robbie’s neck, soaking up the warmth of him, not wanting to let go now that he’s actually here. We stay on the dance floor for the next hour, my arms locked firmly around him, wishing with all my might that I won’t ever need to let go.