Page 10 of Spring Forward (Sweet Treat Novellas #3)

M adison finished talking one of the new bankers through new account paperwork. Two months on the job and the branch had already grown. Corporate was pleased. Folsom Lake seemed happy to have her back. Madison knew she'd made the right choice returning home.

"You have a client in your office," Carol, the teller, said as Madison walked past.

"Thanks."

A client? She didn't have any appointments.

She pushed open her office door, and her heart flipped over in her ribs. "Derek. Are you 'the client' in my office?"

He shrugged. "Carol's idea."

Madison closed the door behind her and moved slowly to where he leaned against the edge of her desk. "Have you come to open an account?"

Derek shook his head. "I came to bribe the branch manager." He produced from behind his back a takeout cup.

"Diet soda?" she asked with a laugh.

"What else?"

Madison stopped at the desk and picked up the soda. She pulled a long sip from the straw and swallowed. "You're a lifesaver."

Derek snakes his arm around her waist and tucked her up to him. "The soda's not the only reason I dropped by."

She set the cup down and turned into his embrace. "Isn't it?"

He kissed her, quick but still heart-stopping. "I want to take you to Cancún."

"What?" She leaned back a little and studied his expression. He was being serious.

"You missed your trip in the spring to come back to Folsom Lake. I think you should get to go. And I think I should get to go too."

Madison took his face tenderly in her hands. "I don't regret missing that vacation, Derek. I'm actually really glad I did."

"You were worried about getting sunburned?"

She kissed him. That happened a lot when they were together.

"Cancún, Maddi." He brushed his lips over her cheek. "Let's go. We can celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" she asked, a little breathlessly on account of the light kisses he was pressing along her jaw.

"That you came back. That we're together."

She sighed, losing herself in the perfection of having Derek in her life after far too long. "And that we're never going to be apart again."

"The very best part."