Maybe there was a time when that wasn’t the case, but that time is long gone.
“Miles—”
Time to pull out the big guns.
“Wait. There’s one more thing I need to show you.” I hurriedly unbutton my shirt, fumbling with the buttons. The guy at Lucy’s side rubs the back of his neck, looking uncomfortable. I ignore him. I only have eyes for Lucy as I reveal the T-shirt I picked up this morning. “I’m all in, Luce. Tallulah. Gizmo. Pop-up tents. Whatever it takes to prove that I’ve changed. To prove that the only place I want to be is by your side.”
She claps a hand to her mouth, but she can’t hide the gasp of surprise or the big-ass grin that splits her face at the sight of my Gizmo Gonzalez Fan Club shirt.
“Is that Gizmo?” She squints, trying to decide if it’s actually her hamster’s face staring back at her. “How did you get his picture?”
“I copied it from your IG feed.” I grin, the sight of her smile leaving me lighter than I’ve felt in days.
“This is getting awkward,” the guy with the beard says. “I feel like maybe you all need a minute, so I’m just going to…” He hooks a thumb over his shoulder and climbs out of the barrel.
“You were saying,” Lucy prompts, shifting her weight and twisting a strand of hair around her finger.
I stride to the barrel, closing the gap between us, and take her hands in mine.
They’re trembling. Or maybe that’s me.
It doesn’t matter.
“I love you, and if there’s even the smallest chance you still love me or could love me again, I will do whatever it takes to earn back your trust.”
She’s quiet for a long time, eyes solemn as she studies my face.
“I think I’m ready to hear the new offer,” she whispers.
Thank Christ.
My entire body relaxes, muscles I didn’t even know I could clench loosening as hope bubbles up from my gut.
“I, Miles Hart, would like to offer you an exclusive relationship agreement, complete with dinner dates, late-night calls, and sleepy Sunday mornings in bed, provided the bed is in working order and is of sufficient size to fit two grown adults.”
I wink at her, and she laughs, pulling a hand from mine and clapping it over her mouth.
“The agreement also has a nonnegotiable rider that states you will tell me anytime I’m acting like a clueless jackass and give me a chance to correct my behavior before throwing me out on my ass.” I pause, gathering my courage, and when I meet Lucy’s steady gaze, there’s a glassy sheen to her eyes. “I am head over heels in love with you, Lucy Gonzalez, and I never want to go back to the way things were, when you felt invisible and I was too wrapped up in my work to give you the time and attention you deserve.”
A tear slides down her cheek, and she wipes it away with the back of her hand.
“So, I guess the only question now is, do you accept the terms of this relationship agreement as they’ve been explained to you?”
“I do.”
All the remaining tension leaks from my body as Lucy looks up at me with those big brown eyes. This time, there’s no doubt about the emotion I’m seeing in those dark depths. I know now with certainty that it’s love, because it’s the same look I see in the mirror when I’m thinking of her.
“What do you think?” She tips her head toward the ring light.Holy shit. I’d forgotten about our virtual audience. “Should I cut them off, or should we give them the cinematic finale they’ve been waiting for?”
I lower my forehead to hers. “Celeste will never forgive you if you shut it off now.”
Lucy grins and tosses the tiny remote over her shoulder. Then she crushes her lips to mine.
The kiss is hot and needy, and when her tongue plunges into my mouth, it’s clear she’s missed me as much as I’ve missed her.
It’s just another reason to revisit the Triada endorsement deal.
Later.
