“I think we should grab hold of the good things, too. It’s—you . . . are a lot more than I thought to hope for.”
Was this really happening? Could she trust something this amazingly lovely? “Oh.” It was the most coherent response she could formulate.
“Long ago,” he said, “before I met Olivia and before she introduced me to you, my parents and I went to see a performance ofLes Misérablesat the Merryweather Theater. During the scene near the end when Javert makes his sacrifice, I glanced to the side and down and saw you there. You were crying and looking happy and sad at the same time. Everything on your face matched what I was feeling.”
What? With effort, she pulled up the memory of that day, that show. She’d gone with her mom. She knew the scene he was referring to, the one when Javert gives his life for the convicted Valjean. It never failed to impact her like a wrecking ball. She adoredLes Mis. “Yes, I remember. I can’t believe . . . You were there?”
“Not only was I there, but I’ve remembered that moment many times over the years. It’s comforted me.”
“So . . . did you recognize me when Olivia introduced us?”
“Not immediately. The theater was dark, and you were sitting a few yards from me during the performance. Eventually, I did put two and two together and realized that you were the woman I’d seen that night.”
“That’s incredible.”
“Yeah.”
She didn’t think this was the best time to scold him for not having introduced himself that night. “You’re a fan ofLes Mis?”
“Yes. You?”
“Yes.”
“It’s a good sign,” he said, “that we both like it. Don’t you think?”
“I do.”
“So things are okay between us?” he asked.
She nodded.
“We’re still on for dinner and dancing?”
“We are. Although I might like to see you from time to time before our date.”
“I might like to see youevery daybefore our date,” he admitted.
She grinned because the sentiment so exactly matched her own. It was paradise to know that Leo was coming to feel the same way about her that she felt about him. It seemed like a greater miracle than the feeding of the five thousand.
His attention sank to her lips. Then, slowly, very slowly, he dipped his head and kissed her. She felt his fingers comb into her hair until he was supporting the back of her neck.
She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him as need and love coursed through her.
After long moments, they broke the kiss, looking into each other’s eyes and smiling crazily. Breath hitching. Then they kissed again.
Leo’s kisses were the best kisses that Maddie had ever experienced in her life. They swirled her thoughts and caused her tummy to flip with the force of their chemistry.
The sound of rustling crackled through the air . . . a sound like someone turning over in bed.
“What’s that?” she whispered.
“Baby monitor,” Leo answered. “Charlie’s waking up.” Leo’s mouth took on a wry, humorous twist. “He never did have a great sense of timing.” He kissed her again.
She might just die of exultation.
“Daddy?” came a groggy voice.
Leo and Maddie separated, laughing under their breath.
