My pulse rushes through me, practically singing in my ears.
He strides forward and I meet him halfway.
“You waited.” My heart throbs in my chest.
“I told you I was patient.” His lips quirk.
My smile widens.
“Pippa, you were worth the wait.” Chase takes my hands in his and kisses my knuckles.
“So, no more Marlow?”
“Not a chance. I’m sorry that I didn’t stop the whole thing with my father before it hurtled out of control like a runaway train. I should’ve handled it differently.”
“Forgiven. I apologize for repeatedly pushing you away,” I say.
“We’re good?”
I nod. “We’re good. I thought I lost you.”
“But we found each other.”
I lift onto my toes and kiss him on the cheek.
“What if I also told you that I found a certain list on my sister’s desk?”
“What kind of list?” My nerves tick.
“The crush kind. I took a picture of it if you want to see it. Interestingly, I fit the criteria across the board and qualify for all of the items on the list. You know, if you’re looking.” He winks.
“What if I told you that list contained things that my crush specifically did in high school that made me fall for him?”
His eyes dance. “So, would you like to attend the First Annual Boston Bruisers Charity Ball with me? It’s not the prom, but it is pretty fancy.”
“I’d be delighted. When is it?”
“In a couple of weeks.
“This might be the longest two weeks of my life,” I say with a smile.
“I’m sure we’ll be able to find something to do to pass the time.”
“Any bright ideas?” Our feelings run deeper than a crush or a fling and the heart fluffies fill me up.
Chase says, “Now that the Blancbourg program is over, it’s a relief that we’re not breaking any rules. From here on out, any rules we make are our own.”
“I can think of one or two. Honesty and trust.”
“Always.” He plants a kiss on the inside of my wrist.
“Then after that?”
“We’ll have the rest of our lives.” His lips find my temple.
“I like the sound of that.”
Chase kisses each of my cheeks. “ForgetCrush or Cupid. Let’s have our show. Chase and Pippa live happily ever after?”
