“I’ll call you soon, guys.”
They all waved and shouted goodbye, and he disconnected their video chat.
Nick made his way to the door, stepping over the dirty clothes he’d dumped in the hallway yesterday.He opened it.
Teagan stood there.“Hey, Nick.”
“Teagan, hi.ItisSaturday, right?Did I get my dates confused?”
“Not at all.I just wanted to let you know a package for you was sent to my room.I thought I should bring it right over.”Teagan stepped aside, a curious grin on her face.
Claire appeared before him.“Hey.”
Nick couldn’t believe his eyes.She was wearing herSmall, but mightyT-shirt, and was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his entire life.Lost for words, he pulled her into his arms, and into his room.
From somewhere down the hallway, Teagan laughed and wished them a good weekend.
Torn between kissing her silly and weeping like a baby, he ended up doing a bit of both.But it was okay, because she pretty much did the same.
When they could finally drag themselves away from each other, he gazed into her gorgeous face.“What are you doing here?”
“I was wondering if it was too late to take you up on your offer.”
“You mean…?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot.Did I ever tell you about my last vacation?”
He shook his head.
“It was my honeymoon.It’s been years since I’ve done anything impetuous.I can’t remember the last time I woke up with a spirit of adventure.I want that feeling again, and I want it with you.”
“Oh, sweetheart.”He kissed her cheeks, her eyelids and her soft, soft lips.“But the sanctuary?”
“You mean, David and Gary’s sanctuary?It’s theirs now.I was holding on to it for Arthur’s sake, and as much as I was happy to continue his work, I hadn’t realized that I’d completely abandoned my dreams in the process.”
“I want you to have your dreams, Claire.I don’t want to hold you back.”
“I know, and this will be the first step.I realize you have work to do, which means I’ll have plenty of time to work on my portfolio.I’ve already started some research on artist co-ops back home, and I’ve got some ideas on how I can sell my work online as well.For the first time in a long time, I’m excited and I want to be able to share that excitement with you, each and every day.And not by video chat.I want to wake up with you and I want to curl up with you at night.”
“I want that too.And we can travel home as often as you need.I’ve been talking to Teagan about ways to adjust our filming schedule even more so that we can cut down on some away time.”
“We’ll make it work,” she said.
“We’ll make it work,” he repeated.Nick was so happy, he could barely process his own words.He decided to just keep kissing her.
It was so much easier, and it conveyed everything he felt.
“I’m ready for my adventure, Mr.Zorn,” she said, undoing the buttons on his shirt.
“Hell, yeah.It’s going to be an amazing adventure, now that you’re here.”He traced his finger over theSmall, but mightyfont on her shirt.“I missed you, Claire.”
“I missed you too.I’d convinced myself I was doing the right thing, but it just wasn’t the same without you.”
He lifted her shirt over her head, shivering as her hair fell over his arms.“I can’t wait to hear more about your plans.”
“I can’t wait to tell you.”
Nick had a few plans of his own.On one of his rare days off, he’d hit up a local jewelry store and had bought an engagement ring.The diamond solitaire had caught his eye almost immediately because it reminded him of Claire, of her strength and her uniqueness.It now sat in the hotel room safe.He’d planned on proposing on his first trip back to Ontario, but the proposal might happen sooner now.
