He picks up his own tea. “Next week.” My heart drops. His eyes dart to mine, and I’m surprised to find him smiling. “I’ll only be there long enough to pack up my things before returning to Bellevue.”
My hands start to shake. Hugh sets his tea aside and gently takes my cup from me. “Y-you’re coming back?” I stammer. “To stay? For how long?”
“Well, except for the occasional trip back to Scotland, including this autumn for my sister’s wedding, I’ll be here indefinitely.” He’s smiling broadly now. I can’t feel my face, so I have no idea whether my lips are turned up or down or even if I’m crying, which I suspect I might be.
“I’ve been in negotiations with the city since I left,” he says. “I appealed their decision not to give me the permits I need for the Village. While that was going through the court systems, I made solid plans for what I want the Village to be in a year-round capacity—a place for everyone, with stores, eateries, games, rides, regular events. I spoke to businesses and architects, local politicians, zoning committees. And when it looked like it was all going to fall through yet again, I pulled out the big guns.”
He pauses. When he sees I’m still struck speechless, his lips twitch, and he continues. “Do you remember seeing the mayor at the Village this past Christmas?” I nod; I’d seen her there several times, usually with just her little girl, but occasionally with her wife too. “Her daughter, Sasha, was enamored with the Village. Wanted to spend every waking moment there. She booked a standing reservation for breakfast with Santa every weekend, and brought Sasha herself to most of them. We became friendly, and she liked my plans to expand, but I never asked her to do anything in an official capacity. Until recently, anyway.”
He leans over and takes both my hands in his. “There was a hearing today to decide whether I’d get the permits needed to reopen the Village and make it a year-round park. I wanted to be here in person for it so I could get the ball rolling if everything went as planned. And even if it fell through, I needed to see you.”
“Why didn’t you tell my any of this? You’ve been working on this for months and never said a word.”
He grimaces. “I didn’t want to get your hopes up until I knew something for certain. I knew you were feeling sore because I’d become distant, but I was working night and day on plans, along with my actual job, plus family obligations. But I knew it was time to come back, one way or the other, whatever happened. I had a terrible need to see you. Touch you, kiss you.” He bends forward, bringing my hands to his mouth. His eyes close as his lips linger on my skin.
When he opens his eyes again, they remain steady on mine. “I have a few more appointments with my attorneys and more paperwork to sign, but the Village is officially mine to do with as I please year round.” He must anticipate my reaction because he opens his arms to catch me when I leap at him. Laughter and tears spill out of me. My entire body is shaking. As I clutch Hugh to me, I realize he’s shaking too.
“There’s more.” His arms loosen, and I reluctantly allow him to release me. “I want the Village to beours. With your marketing and social media expertise, the place would be a hit. I want you to continue having your own life—you’ve done amazing things while I was away, and I know a lot has changed. I’m so proud of you, Ivy.”
He reaches out to swipe some of my tears away before continuing. “I know you love the bookstore and I want you to keep working there, but I want you to work with me too. Is that something you’d consider? Being part of the Village in its new incarnation?”
I don’t even need time to consider it. “Of course it is. If I could work full-time at Quest and still do elf duty every night, I can make this work. At least I’ll be doing something I love. With…with the person I love.”
He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I want us to be partners in every sense of the word, Ivy. I’m ready to commit to you, to us. No more no-label relationship, no more trying not to get attached. I failed miserably at that months ago and broke my own rules by falling for you. Now I want it all. If that’s whatyouwant.”
I press my lips together, but nothing I do can stop more tears from flowing. “I’m in. I’m all in. The business, you,us.” I suck in air, trying to calm my racing heart and rein in the unsteadiness of my voice. “But I’m a package deal. I need you to know I come with Bridget, Celia, and Fiddlesticks. Meredith and Piper too, but they were your friends before they were mine.”
His bright smile gives me my answer before he speaks. “I love you, Ivy, and I accept the whole package. All of it. Happily.”
I climb into his lap and wrap myself around him. “Looks like you’ve made two life-changing deals today, then. Mine doesn’t require paperwork and a signature, though. Just a kiss to seal the deal.”
He covers my smiling mouth with his. Things progress quickly, as they have all night, but I have a sudden flash of something that was a point of contention for me recently when I was having a bad day. I pull away and ask, “Am I ever going to see your apartment?”
He laughs, bewildered. “I’ll take you there tomorrow if you like. It isn’t much, but now that I’m here mostly for good, I’m thinking I ought to buy a house. I don’t want to rush you or pressure you, but I want you to help me pick it so I know you’re happy with it. I want you to think of it as your home too for when the time comes and we’re ready for that step.” He kisses one cheek, then the other. “And even though it’s last minute, I was also thinking you might take a few days off and come to Scotland with me while I pack up. It’d be a quick trip, but then I was hoping you’d accompany me to my sister’s wedding this autumn. Maybe we could take a few weeks and see a good portion of Scotland and anywhere else you want to go.”
Scotland. In a few days, and again in a few months. I can barely contain the excitement rising up my chest. “Of course I’ll go with you. I’ll go with you anywhere, Hugh. But right now, I need you to take me back to bed. I’ve thought of another way to seal the deal.”
His lips twitch. “As you wish, my love.” I squeal as he stands, taking me with him. Our giddy laughter echoes all the way down the hall to my bedroom.
