“The owner will meet you at the empty table next to the couch,” she said, pointing over my shoulder. “Give her a minute.”
I grabbed her finger and pulled her hand to my mouth, kissing across her knuckles as I held her gaze.
“Tell the owner I’ll wait all night. I’m told a good grovel takes time.”
“And energy,” she noted, pursing her lips at me. “Hope you have both.”
She pulled her hand away, stuffing something into her pocket as she headed back toward the end of the bar. I allowed myself a minute to watch her go, so damn beautiful from every angle, she still stole the air from my lungs.
I headed to the table and took the chair against the wall, finding Claudia already sitting across from me.
“That was fast.”
“Well, you said something about a grovel? I’m always up for one of those.” She leaned back in her chair, hurt still evident in her eyes, even with the smirk tilting her lips.
“I’m sorry. I had no right to snap at you like that.” I reached across the table to grab her hand. “I know you’re not Maggie and you’d be there for both of us. But that fear of disappointing you if things ever take a bad turn again is probably never going to go away.”
“Disappoint me? My God, Jude.” She covered my hand with both of hers. “If I had one wish, it would be to meet your ex-wife so I could punch her in the face. You are a wonderful man who exhausts himself trying to take care of everyone but himself. There is no way you could ever disappoint me.” She lifted a shoulder. “Did I get a little pissed at you? Sure. But I’m mostly frustrated that you still think it’s all on you and you aren’t supposed to expect anyone to help you. You’d never go through any of that alone again if it came down to it, because I’d never let you. Okay?”
“Okay.” I leaned across the table to grab the back of her head and bring her in for a kiss. I’d planned on a peck, but the relief from both of us kept our lips locked as she stood and planted herself on my lap.
“If it weren’t so busy, I’d drag you to my office,” Claudia panted against my lips when we broke apart. “You can’t close out a grovel without epic make-up sex.”
“Of course not,” I whispered as I ran my lips down her neck. “That’s why I want you to come home with me tonight.”
“I planned on it, even though I was mad at you,” she breathed out, giggling when I sucked her earlobe into my mouth. “So now we can have make-up sex instead of angry sex.”
“Can’t go wrong with either, but about that…” I swept her hair off her shoulder, holding her eyes. “I don’t like sleeping without you.”
“I don’t either,” she said, pursing her lips. “Even if your bed gives me neck cramps the next day.”
I laughed, draping my hand across her nape and rubbing the back of her neck.
“I think I have a solution. Bigger bed, bigger room.”
“There’s another bedroom in your house? Is it, like, behind a wall or something,” she said, squinting at me.
“The main bedroom is pretty big. Once Dad moves into the assisted-living facility, I can move in there. He doesn’t want me to give up the house when it’s already paid for, but it’s a big house for one guy, you know?”
“Jude,” she said, her voice a shaky whisper as her hand flew to her mouth. “Are you asking me what I think—”
“Move in with me. Call the real estate agent and tell her you already have a place.” I framed her face. “I want you with me every single day, not random nights stuffed into my childhood bedroom, or in Jake and Peyton’s bathroom. We deserve so much more than that, don’t you think?”
She sank her teeth into her bottom lip and nodded.
“And I want you to make our house as beautiful as you made this place.” I swiped the tears streaming down her cheeks with my thumbs. “Please, baby. Come home with me for the rest of my life.”
“I can’t”—my stomach dropped when she hiccupped a sob—“I can’t believe you’re asking me this here. I’m a fucking mess, and I’m supposed to be management and shit.” She wiped her face with the back of her hand.
“So, it’s a yes?” I chuckled as I dipped my head to meet her gaze.
“Of course it’s a yes,” she cried out, pressing her salty lips to mine. “I love you so much, you big jerk.”
“I love you too. More than I could ever say and more than you could ever imagine.” I drifted my thumb over her wet cheeks.
“The hell with the crowd.” She reached up and grabbed my wrists. “I own the place, right?”
“You sure do, baby,” I said and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Just like you own me.”
