He took a step closer. “I’m on my way to Dubai.”
“And Virginia happened to be on your way?” But her brain had already formed an image of the globe, and Virginia was in the opposite direction of Dubai from London.
“In a matter of speaking. I needed to see you,” he said, his tone earnest.
“Okay.” Her heart fluttered like one of the birds in the trees overhead, because her slightly frantic brain couldn’t think of a reason for him to be standing in front of her right now that she didn’t like.
“Did a lot of thinking after I left here last week,” he said.
“Oh?”
He nodded. “And I’ve decided to leave Exeter. I told my parents yesterday.”
“Oh,” she repeated, her voice little more than a whisper.
“I’m going to open my own architectural firm, like you suggested.” He walked forward, gesturing for her to sit beside him on the bench, which was convenient because her knees were about to give out anyway. “You helped me see what I hadn’t noticed before, how much happier and more fulfilled I am when I’m working for myself, when I’m creating my own designs instead of conforming to a corporate brand.”
“I’m so glad,” she breathed. “And how did your parents take it?”
“Surprisingly well,” he told her. “They knew I wasn’t happy, and if this new venture finally helps me achieve that, they’re in full support.”
“Good,” she said, reaching over to cover his hand with hers. “I’m so glad, Flynn.”
“I still have to go to Dubai, but it’ll be my last assignment with Exeter.”
She nodded. “That makes sense.”
“I’ll still travel, depending on where my clients are located, but this should allow me to live a more settled lifestyle.” He looked over at her with a wry smile. “As settled as I’m ever likely to get.”
She smiled back. “I like it.”
“If you’re willing, I thought maybe we could redo the conversation we had here last week?” His brown eyes locked on hers, so earnest—vulnerable—that she could hardly breathe. Everything inside her chest felt too warm, too tight, like she might burst from the strength of her own emotions.
“Okay,” she whispered. “But this time, you lead.” Because she’d already laid her heart out for him, and now it was his turn.
“Fair enough,” he agreed. “Ruby Keller, I had no idea how my life was going to change the night I pulled you out of a rosebush on the Langdon estate.”
She grinned at the memory. They’d sat on a bench together that night too, and he’d helped her remove all the pins from her hair to get the thorns out before pinning it back up for her.
“The funniest thing happened after I met you.” He flipped their hands, giving hers a squeeze. “I felt…peaceful when we were together. I’d never really felt that before. It’s like, when I’m with you, everything just makes sense.”
“Oh.” Tears spilled over her eyelids, and she pushed her glasses up to wipe them away.
“You helped me realize what I want out of life, for my career, and for my heart. And Ruby, I’m falling in love with you too.”
“Oh my God.” She pressed her hands against her eyes, glasses tumbling into the leaves at her feet.
He picked them up, tapping her on the shoulder. “Put these back on so you can see me, because I just realized it’s not exactly true that I’m falling in love with you.”
“No?” She slid the glasses into place, blinking away tears to meet his gaze.
“I’m already in love with you. One hundred percent.” He leaned in, hands tugging at the clasp on the back of her head so her hair tumbled down her back as their lips met.
“Me too,” she whispered, tears sliding over her cheeks and fogging her glasses. “I’m so in love with you, Flynn.”
“I can’t promise you much these next few months,” he said. “I’ll be half a world away, but I’ll visit you every chance I get, and maybe you can fly over and visit me too.”
“I’d love that.”
