“Well, that’s how you spoke to me.”
“I fucked up.” He looks miserable as he stares at me, his eyes roving over my face, like he’s trying to memorize my every feature.
“What do you mean?”
“I fucked up, Gina. I’m here to tell you I know I fucked up. For a long time, money has been the number one thing in my life. And I thought you were just another person using me. Maybe not for money—but for my story. And when I found out you’d kept that secret… it broke me. It took me back to a really dark place. I’m sorry.”
“You’re… sorry?” I whisper.
“I’m sorry for not letting you explain. I’m sorry for shutting you out.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I do. I’ve been rebuilding my life for a long time. And when I thought you saw me as disposable… it destroyed me.”
“You were never disposable to me,” I say. “Not for one second.”
“I know that now. Gina… I know who you are. You’re the most honest, beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Even if you’re cranky and kooky and crazy half the time.”
“I don’t know if those are compliments,” I say, and he laughs.
“I love you for who you are.”
“I love you, too, Hunter. I always did.”
“So, you work here now?” he asks.
“I do. I’m guessing Emma told you.”
“Emma and Louise. Louise loves you. She told me you helped a lot of people at the paper. I also met with Holly.”
“Oh?”
“I told her she was a terrible boss.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I threatened to buy the paper and fire her.”
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’d buy it for you if you wanted.”
“Don’t,” I say quickly. “I don’t even want to be a journalist anymore. I like writing. But not in that environment. I think I’m going to write a book.”
“I love you,” he says. “I love everything about you. I was scared I’d lose you.”
“You won’t. You never could.”
“I’m not afraid of complicated love anymore,” he says. “I know love isn’t perfect. I know it’s messy, and I want to fight for us.”
“I want that, too. I love you, as well. I love you more than life itself.”
He pulls me into his arms and kisses me tenderly. It feels like home as I wrap my arms around his neck. “You are everything to me,” he whispers.
“And you’re everything to me.”
I may not have gotten the wedding scoop of the year like I thought I would when I took this job. But I got something even better.
