“I know.” My lips curve up in a loving smile. “You’ve had the card for a while now and clearly haven’t bought a single thing for yourself.”
A shy expression forms on her face. “I paid for my nails with your credit card.”
“It’s your credit card now.” I kiss her forehead. “Use it. Please.”
She nods while she closes the small distance between us so she can wrap her arms around my waist.
I hold my woman tightly, loving the feel of her against my chest. “Rachel told me in the letter that she’d haunt me if I let you slip through my fingers.”
Even though sadness trickles into her eyes, she chuckles. “If anyone can find a way to haunt you, it will be Rach.”
“Right?” I tilt my head, a grin tugging at my lips. “So ... fourteen years?”
Her cheeks flush a beautiful pink. “Yeah.” She looks a little nervous as she admits, “You’re my first love.”
Staring deep into her eyes, I say, “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize you’re the woman for me.”
“I think things happened the way they did because Rachel deserved all of your attention before she passed away.”
“Thanks for saying that, but I screwed up when I left you behind in Verona. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
She shakes her head. “Stop beating yourself up. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Her eyes shine like emeralds up at me. “I made my own choices. I could’ve followed you here, but instead, I stayed in Verona.” A soft smile tugs at her lips. “But I’m here now, and it’s all that matters.”
“Right.” Lifting my hand to her face, I tuck some strands behind her ear. “And I’m never letting you go.”
She pulls free from my hold. “Want some coffee?”
“Sure.”
I follow Nova out of the room, and when we reach the kitchen, she begins to prepare the beverages while asking, “When do you want to tell Lainey?”
“When she gets home. I think the news will be good for her.”
Noticing Nova’s much more relaxed, I feel a sense of relief. She brings the mugs to the island and sits down beside me.
I take a sip before I mention, “I’ll have to make an announcement about our relationship.”
“Crap,” she mutters. “Do we have to?”
“The press has a way of finding out things. Once the world finds out about us, there will be a lot of shit printed. Don’t believe everything you read.”
“Okay.”
Christ, she’s finally mine. Nova is my girlfriend.
We stare at each other for a few seconds, then I chuckle as I admit, “You have no idea how relieved I am right now.”
“I do.” Her mouth curves up in a happy smile. “Trust me, I do.”
“Will you come visit me on set?”
Her eyes dart to mine. “Sure. When?”
“I’m starting next week. You can bring me smoothies.”
“Just show me how to make them.”
I can’t stop smiling as I stare at her. “Thank you for giving us a chance.”
