Page 80 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“I want to be with you. If you’ll have me.”

“Rainwater Bay isn’t too boring? This isn’t the French Riviera. No sun-kissed beaches.”

“Are you looking for reasons to drive me away? I like the rain. It’s a great reason to stay in bed with you.”

She nibbles her bottom lip with the first hint of a smile I’ve seen in hours. “That is a good reason.”

The constriction in my chest loosens. We’ll figure out how to balance my work demands with the life we want to build together.

Because no matter what, as long as she’ll have me, I’m not leaving Zoe’s side.

Hard and fast is the only way to explain how I fell in love with her, but it’s the truth.

It’s also the only way it could have happened. She’s too passionate, too magnetic, too hypnotic for me to have resisted. She’s my soulmate, and I will do everything in my power to show her she’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.

We slide to the floor, and she rests her head on my shoulder, waiting in silence for whatever happens next with her dad.

“You don’t have to decide today, but they are going to hold an emergency election to fully replace your dad. If you want to run, I’ll help you.”

“I’ll think about it.” She closes her eyes. “This is all so exhausting.”

“Is your dad staying overnight?”

“For observation.”

“Are you staying with him?”

She chuckles mirthlessly. “He kicked me out.”

That explains why we’re on the floor in the hallway, then. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

Distraction time. “Did your mom ever tell you about secret passages at the estate?”

She lifts her head to meet my eyes. “No. Why?”

A lean my forehead against hers. “I have something for you to look forward to.”

“Good news?”

“I hope so.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I meant to tell you, there are some women out front with Archer and Collin. They asked me to tell you they’re here. Are you up for a walk?”

“As long as you hold my hand.”

“Always.”

Zoe

True to his word, Landon doesn’t let go of my hand as we walk to the waiting area in Pine Ridge Medical Center. Kelsey, Emberly, Archer, and Collin are the only friendly faces in the crowd. The town council is gone, thankfully.

I head straight into Kelsey’s waiting arms. “Tell us everything,” she coos in my ear.

“It was not another heart attack.” I fill them in on the doctor’s diagnosis and my dad’s prognosis but don’t tell them dad’s frustration and anger. They already know he fired me, so there’s no reason to rip open that wound.

He wouldn’t have had the anxiety attack if it weren’t for me. If he’d found out about Landon and my relationship another way.

But I can’t change the past.