Heart attack recovery looked damn good on Archer Bellamy.
“Penny. I’m sofuckinghappy to see you. I missed you.” His arms opened wide.
I sputtered, and sprinted into them across the space of about eight feet.
“I missed you, too. So much.”
He held me tight and wouldn’t let go, until Brier handed me tissues.
I managed a shaky laugh and pointed at her. “You’re impossible. I cannot believe you orchestrated this.” I whipped a tissue out. That was the thing about Brier—she meddled with the confidence of a woman who’d never been wrong about love. I should’ve known she had something up her sleeve.
“It wasn’t my doing this time, sweetie. Archer calledme.” Her eyes twinkled. “I’ll let you two talk while I go play with the dogs. Come on, Goldie.” They escaped into the playroom, where Goldie went wild off the leash.
I turned on him. “Youcalled her and set this up?”
He took my hands and held them, rubbing his thumbs on top. “Someone said a doggie daycare was for sale. My doctor says I need to engage in stress-relieving activities. And, asyou know, Goldens can be quite the emotional support dogs. I figured if I was going to de-stress with dogs now and then, I might as well own the place.”
“You bought it?” I grinned. “I love being an architect, but I like being here, too. And Goldie can still come and play, if you take it over.”
“Briar’s a tough negotiator, but I we’ve reached a deal. I’ve called my lawyers to set up the paperwork. You know what I’m thinking? Franchising. Later. After I’ve had time to recover and live life less stressfully for a while. So, will you show me around, tell me how to run this place?” He winked.
I hated to ruin this happy reunion, but I had news for him that might alter his attitude. Or not. That was a risk I had to take. Either way, I couldn’t move forward until I knew we were on solid ground.
“I think we should talk. Now. What I have to say can’t wait another minute.” I pulled him over to the chairs behind the reception desk. I arranged the two to face each other as we sat.
“I also have so much to say. Let me go first.”
“But Archer?—”
“No, please hear me out. I was a complete shit to you in the hospital. There’s a time and a place to argue about things, and that wasn’t it. I’m sorry about that.”
“You want to argue now? Because I have to tell you?—”
“Pen, please let me finish.”
“But—”
“No, listen. I’ve been pacing my penthouse for weeks thinking of exactly what to say to you. To apologize to you. To thank you for looking out for my friend Holden, preventing him from getting embroiled with my ex. And by the way, I never want us to speak her name again, if that’s okay with you. It took courage for you to call Holden and care for another human being you barely knew.”
He paused for a breath. I didn’t interrupt this time, letting him have his say, soaking up his words, his apology. Then I’d have my say.
“Yes, I do wish you had told me everything that happened in Steele Valley, but if memory serves, I kept you a little busy in my suite that night.” His sly smile twisted my insides—and he had no idea that we’d probably conceived a child there. “And I understand now, that you only did what you did to protect me. You didn’t want to cause me any more grief over my ex than I’d already experienced. Penny, I know this for certain, with absolute, one hundred percent clarity, that you have the biggest heart, and I love that about you.”
“Love?”
“Love. As in I love you, Penny Fair. I regret not saying it to you when I wanted to in front of the fireplace at Friendsgiving. From this day forward, I swear, I’ll find a way to say those words to you daily. I. Love. You.”
“Archer…” I couldn’t speak. He loved me. But would that love still hold true when I told him my news? “I love you, too,” I whispered.
I buried my face in my hands, sobbing, preparing to tell him about the baby. He took a tissue, lifted my chin up and dabbed at my cheeks, ending with a sweet, gentle kiss.
“I hope these are happy tears? I’ve had a lot of time to think about what happy looks like lately.” He took a slow breath. “I’m making some changes.”
“Changes?”
“I’m stepping down as CEO.” The words hung there, stunning and simple. “One of the VPs will take over. I’ve spent years building something I don’t want to die for. It’s time to live differently.”
“How?” My voice wavered.
