“Is it? After everything that happened today, I’m sure it is or at least it’s close to being over.”
“I spoke to my father.”
“And how did that go?”
She laughed softly. “Not great.” She gave him all the details of the conversation. “I’m having dinner with him and my mother tomorrow. So, I’m leaving in the morning and driving back to Manhattan.”
“Oh.”
“I should only be gone for a few days—maybe not even—and then I’ll be back.”
“Wait…you’re coming back?”
“Of course I am! Besides the fact that I still have a job to do, you and I need to sit down and talk in person. I love that we’re talking now, but I’d like it much more if I could touch you and see your face.”
“Maisie, it’s okay. You don’t…” He let out a long breath. “You’re going to go home tomorrow and work shit out with your family and be able to go back to your life. I don’t really know anything about it, but I’m guessing it’s a lot more glamorous than living in Harbortown in a two-room cabin and driving a crappy old truck. I don’t see myself exactly fitting in.”
“What are you saying?”
“I get that you have to come back because the work on the resort isn’t done, but I don’t want you to feel…obligated to me or to us. I’ll understand if you want to end our relationship. After all, a woman like you surely has a lot more options—better ones—than a carpenter with no family and no real money to his name.”
She heard the vulnerability in his voice and it broke her heart. He wasn’t saying it in anger; he truly believed his own words.
“Axel…”
“Like…I can’t even imagine you introducing me to your family,” he said with a laugh that had no humor. “They’d just disown you all over again. I would never put you in that situation.”
“Axel…”
“And could you see me at a big society event? I don’t even own a suit. What would I wear? Ripped jeans and work boots? Come on. I would never want to embarrass you like that. You’re so damn perfect, and you deserve someone you’re proud to have walking beside you.”
“I’m proud to have you walking beside me, you idiot,” she said with a hint of exasperation. “I’ve been trying to protect you all this time because I don’t want anyone talking badly about you. And believe me, my family is awful. They talk badly about me, so I would never subject you to that kind of behavior.”
“Maisie Quinn, I love you. And if you give me a chance, I’ll make sure no one ever talks badly about you ever again. I swear it. I’ll gladly beat the shit out of anyone who tries.”
And then she was crying because she knew he would, and it was crazy how much she wanted to see him do it again.
Ugh…what is wrong with me?
“Care to put your money where your mouth is?” she asked.
“Money? Maisie, I told you. I don’t have any money.”
“It’s a figure of speech, silly. Come to dinner with me tomorrow with my parents.”
“Are you insane? Haven’t you been listening to what I’ve been telling you?”
“I have. And I have to ask you the same question.”
“What question?”
“Haven’t you been listening to what I’ve been telling you?” she asked.
“I have.”
“Okay, then. We are both done letting my family crap all over me. I’m going there tomorrow to put an end to it all. If they disown me, then they disown me. I’m not sure what that will look like, but this time I plan on packing up all of my stuff. The money from the resort job will tide me over, and…”
“And you have a place to live,” he said firmly. “With me. I want you with me. Always.”
