How could I not? “We still need to talk, but for now, I need to clean the kitchen, then myself. You want a coffee? And we still have a few pastries left if you’re hungry. I’ll only be about half an hour.”
Or longer. The place was a mess. As much as I wanted to spend time with Grayson, there was no way I’d leave a mess like this. I’d be thinking about batter the whole time.
He didn’t move.
“Or you can wait upstairs if you feel more comfortable,” I offered.
He sighed as if what came next shouldn’t have to be said. I tensed, not sure what he was about to tell me. “If you think I’ll sit on my ass while you clean up, you really don’t know me anymore.”
Oh.
“Well, in that case, the soap is up there.” I pointed to the top of the shelf. “The clean sponges are under the sink. I’ll be right back. I have to find the mop.”
I returned a few moments later, and we started scrubbing. And once I figured out how far into each crevice and crack the batter had gotten, I was even more grateful for Grayson’s help.
I scrubbed the work bench, cursing at the sticky mess the flour had turned into. “How long are you staying?”
“As long as you’ll have me.”
His words made my movements cease. “What do you mean? Don’t you have to get back to work?”
“I quit.”
I blinked at him, wondering if he was joking. He didn’t look like he was, his face relaxed, his attention on the floor he was sweeping.
“You quit? But why?”
He leaned the broom against the wall and came over. “It was a long time coming. I’m sick of their double standards. And there’s no way I’ll let you go again. I made that mistake once. I’m not making it again.”
Was this what it sounded like?
“Are you moving to Humptulips?” I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
“Technically, I’ve already moved, since I’m not planning on going back to LA.”
“But what about your career? Your house?”
“I never cared for the film business. It’s something I fell into and stayed in because I was good at it. I want to make a difference, not draw up contracts that screw people over.” He took my hands in his. “My house is on the market. My home is wherever you are. It doesn’t matter to me if it’s in the middle of nowhere Colorado or a big city.”
I gaped at him, my hands squeezing his in a tight hold. “I love you so much.” It just came out, right there in the middle of my messy kitchen. A breathtaking smile stole over his face, and then he breached the small distance left between us and kissed me.
“I love you too.”
I took a deep breath, needing time to let it all sink in. Because I suddenly had everything I’d ever wanted.
We eventually finished cleaning, and I placed a kiss on Grayson’s cheek. “Thank you for your help. I owe you one.”
“Can I cash it in right now?”
His eagerness made me laugh, and I took his hand. “Of course. What did you have in mind?”
He raised a brow at me, and my cheeks flushed with heat. Without another word, we went up the back staircase and straight to the hidden key lock. It was the only way to ensure I’d get into my apartment since I constantly lost my keys.
Grayson turned to me. “Same code?”
“Of course.” If I’d changed the code, I’d lock myself out again. It was like passwords—get a new one and spend the first few log-on attempts recovering it.
Once we were inside my little abode, Grayson turned in a circle, taking it all in. “It still looks exactly the same.” The wonder in his voice made me smile.
