This woman.“Just stop before you get hurt. I’ll come down.” If she fell, he would never forgive himself. Antonio’s heart rate didn’t slow until she was safely on the ground. He carefully climbed down. Before his feet touched the ground well, she was in his face.
Natasha jabbed her finger into his chest. “Listen to me, Antonio Jamal Hayes, and listen good. I know you think you’re being all noble and whatnot by thinking you can let me go out into the world and realize my dreams, and I love you for it.” She cupped his jaw. “But, baby, don’t you know you’re the biggest part of that dream? Don’t you know how much I love you?”
He removed his gloves, stuck them in the back pocket of his jeans, and grabbed her hand. “You’re going to put a hole in my chest.”
She snatched her hand away and planted it on her hip.
She was his dream, too, but still. “My wanting you to take this job has nothing to do with me not loving you—because I do, more than my own life. But—”
Natasha scowled up at him. “But nothing. I’mnotgiving you up for any job, no matter how good it may be. I walked away from us the first time, but I’ll be damned if I do it again.”
Is she saying she turned the job down?Antonio placed his hands on her shoulders. “What are you talking about? Tasha, you can’t pass up this opportunity.” Being tasked with such a large job so early in her career was akin to winning the lottery.
“I’m not passing on the opportunity.”
Was she thinking about them engaging in a long-distance relationship? He didn’t have a problem with doing something like that, but if she decided to stay in LA permanently, it wouldn’t work unless he gave up the construction company. Just like he didn’t want her to let go of this contract, he knew she wouldn’t ask him to do that. “Then please explain it to me.”
She placed her hand on his heart. “I am not going to move to LA. True, years ago, I said that was my ultimate goal. But I realize I can still have my dream job without sacrificing the most important person in my life—you. I’ll travel to Southern California a couple of times a month and may have to stay two or three days at a time, but my home ishere… with you, Tonio. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
Antonio crushed his mouth against hers, relief flooding his body. “I love you so much, baby. But how?”
Natasha smiled. “I explained my dilemma to the company president, who apparently is a die-hard romantic. He’s been married for almost forty years and, according to his executive assistant, still dates his wife, buys her flowers for no reason, and goes out of his way to make sure she’s happy. Anyway, he said love was a precious gift and not something that should ever be taken for granted or tossed away and readily agreed to my proposal to pretty much do the job remotely.” She slid her hands around his neck. “So that means you’re stuck with me.”
“I can’t tell you how much I love hearing this. You’ll never know how hard it was to walk away from you, but I’d do anything for you, even if that means letting you go. I want you to reach and exceed every goal you set.”
“And I appreciate that. Oh, and speaking of the whole letting me go thing. If you ever try to break up with me again, I’m going to hurt you.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “No need to get violent. Like you said, you’re stuck with me.” Forever.
“Good. I love you, Tonio.”
He swung her up in his arms and kissed her with all the love in his heart. Whoops, claps, and whistles sounded around them. Antonio lifted his head and found his entire crew viewing the exchange with wide grins and fist pumps. He shook his head. “Go back to work.”
Natasha buried her head against his shoulder and laughed. “Can’t wait to see how this kiss will end up after traveling around town. By the end of the day, it’ll probably turn into a kiss, a proposal, and a wedding.”
Antonio chuckled.This time they won’t be wrong.
CHAPTER 31
Aweek later, Natasha sat with her three friends at Brenda’s Bake Box, enjoying mouthwatering cinnamon rolls and tea, and telling them about her LA trip. They’d been so busy, it had been difficult to schedule a time when all of them were free.
“How many units did you say there were, Tasha?” Dana asked.
She finished chewing the warm sweet roll. “Ten. There is literally nothing in them except kitchen appliances. I almost did a happy dance, knowing I’ll be able to put my stamp on every detail.”
Serenity took a sip of her tea. “That is so cool, and I’m betting you already have a few ideas.”
“Girl, you know me well. I just have to make sure I don’t cross them with the condos here.” She had already started a file of designs for the apartments with neutral colors that would appeal to both men and women and finished two potential condo designs. “I’ll be going back to LA next week for a couple of days for an update meeting and to take some measurements.”
“You mentioned they wanted you to stay down there until the project is complete. Are you going to take a leave or quit working for George?” Terri asked.
Natasha leaned forward and said conspiratorially, “I’ve already talked to George, and he’s allowing me to work part time for now. And I’m not moving. I’ll be staying here and only traveling when necessary.”
“Oh my goodness. That’s fabulous. I know a certain someone is probably going to bereallyhappy about that.”
She smiled at Serenity and wiped her hands. “He is. I didn’t get a chance to tell you all, but right before I left, Antonio sort of ended our relationship.” She held up a hand when they all started to speak. “It came from a good place, so y’all don’t go harassing my baby. He thought I would have to move down there and was basically going to sacrifice us so that I could chase my dreams.”
Serenity brought her hand to her heart. “That is so romantic and selfless. I know he loves you, and for him to say that had to be so hard.”
