“Umm…Okay. Who is it?”
She smiles. No—this woman full-on beams. Then she shrugs. “I’m not sure, but he—”
Before she can finish, Eli steps into view behind her.
For a second, the room tilts. The only word that ever floats to the surface of my mind when I see him ismajestic. He looks like he belongs exactly where he stands, no matter the setting.
Lexy gives him a polite little curtsy that makes both Timantha and me snort, then excuses herself with a grin she doesn't even bother to hide.
Then Timantha stands up and leaves behind Lexy. “I’ll just be…” She doesn’t finish whatever she was trying to say.
But it doesn’t stop her from doing the cabbage patch and humping the air before disappearing around the corner.
I shake my head and laugh, dropping my face into my hands for a second, trying to collect myself. When I look up again, Eli is still standing there.
Watching me.
It’s not a dream.
He looks like he’s missed me.
He cups my cheeks between those massive palms and pulls me into a deep, desperate kiss before pulling back just enough to whisper against my lips, “I’ve missed you.”
I can’t help the smile that breaks across my face, even as my brain tries to catch up. “I’ve…but…Eli.” My mind is a whirlwind, a chaotic mess of relief and confusion. “Eli, what are you doing here?”
He doesn't answer with words at first, just leans in to steal another kiss. "Between Drake and Lara telling me I’d be an idiotto let you slip away, and Elliott and my mother giving me a crash course on how to be the perfect book boyfriend—"
"I'm sorry," I interject, my brows knitting together. "Your brother? The one having a baby with Lucifer's sister?"
My Bear’s grin widens, reaching his eyes. "The very one. I'll explain that particular development later, if you don't mind?"
"I’ll insist on it," I say with a firm nod. "But please, continue."
He lets out a low, melodic laugh. "Thank you."
Movement in the hallway catches my eye, and I see Lexy reappear holding an arrangement that looks like a bouquet, only much larger and heavier.
I gasp, my hands flying to my mouth. "Eli! A book bouquet!"
"Drake designed the structure with recyclable materials, of course," he says, watching me examine the contents.
"Naturally." I reach out, my fingers grazing the spines of the novels tucked between the flowers.
"Elliot recommended two of the titles. Apparently, these are my mother's favorites—the ones she makes him read out loud to her. The nasty ones," he adds, shaking his head in mock disapproval.
I burst out laughing. "Your mom has excellent taste. I was actually supposed to see one of these authors at the conference I missed."
"I know. That was Drake’s find. He even tracked down her schedule and saw she’ll be at another romance convention in Atlanta later this year. He said he's happy to foot the bill for the full VIP experience."
My heart stutters. I don't miss the implication—he’s talking about a future where I’m still here, and he’s still there.
I’m still admiring the delicate arrangement of petals and paper when Eli hooks a finger under my chin, tilting my face up until I’m forced to meet his gaze.
"If that's what you want, Max," he murmurs, his voice dropping an octave.
I shrug, my pulse hammering against my ribs, knowing he isn't just talking about a ticket to a conference.
He takes the bouquet and places it on the conference table and kisses me one more time. “Walk with me, Mama. I've missed you.”
