When Beau said nothing, Linc rose from the sofa. “Think about it. That’s all I ask.”
Beau remained silent, but Linc knew his friend. He would think things over, sort it all through in his head.Eventually he’d figure things out, one way or another. Linc hoped he made the right decision.
* * *
Cassidy drove home after work. She’d been spending long hours at the office, anything to keep her mind off Beau. She tried not to wonder where he was or what he was doing, wonder if he ever thought of her. She tried not to wonder if he missed her.
She was tired as she rode the elevator up to her loft apartment. She hadn’t been sleeping well and her appetite was gone. She used her key and opened the door, stepped inside and turned on the light. A gasp escaped as a familiar tall figure rose from the sofa.
Her heart jerked and started pounding. “Beau . . .”
“Hi,” he said softly. He looked nervous, uneasy. She had never seen him quite that way. He tipped his head toward a huge bouquet of red roses. “They’re for Valentine’s Day. Better . . . ahh . . . late than never.”
“How did you get in?”
“The building manager. Turns out he’s a racing fan.”
Under other circumstances, she might have smiled. Instead she steeled herself. She wanted to run to him, to feel those strong arms around her. She wanted to tell him how much she loved him.
She wouldn’t. She couldn’t stand the pain when he was gone. She had meant what she’d said in the note. She wouldn’t settle for less than a man who loved her.
“I asked you not to call me, Beau. I need you to leave.”
Beau ignored her, just stood there looking like her own secret fantasy, all lean muscle and gorgeous blue eyes. Those eyes swept over her now, as if they tried to absorb every detail.
“I really missed you,” he said gruffly. “I missed you so damn much.”
“Beau, please . . .”
“I went to the cemetery yesterday,” he said. “I went to see Sarah.”
A little sound escaped, a slice of agony she had hoped to hide.
Beau walked toward her. “I went to say good-bye, Cassidy. I wanted Sarah to know that after all these lonely years, I’d finally found someone I loved the way I loved her. Someone I loved totally and completely, with everything in my heart. I told Sarah about you, Cassidy. And I said good-bye.”
She started to tremble as he reached her, drew her into his arms.
“I love you,” he said. “I love you so much.”
“Beau . . .” She started crying, slid her arms up around his neck and just hung on. “Oh, God, Beau.” He kissed her. Kissed her until she couldn’t breathe, until crying was impossible.
“I love you and I want you with me,” he said. “Now and for always. When you’re ready, I want us to get married.”
She made a little sound, couldn’t quite believe he was there. “Are . . . are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything. Nothing feels right without you.”
Cassidy wiped tears from her cheeks and looked up at him. “No, it doesn’t.”
“So that’s a yes?”
She managed to nod.
The tension eased from Beau’s shoulders. “I was afraid you’d say no. I thought I might say something wrong. Do something stupid and ruin any chance of getting you back.”
Tears clogged her throat. “You could say just about anything as long as you said you loved me.”
“I’m crazy in love with you. I need you, baby. Will you come home with me?”
