Her mind had been reviewing everything she wanted to say. Everything she needed to tell him. However, now that she was here standing before him, she had no words. All she seemed capable of doing was staring at Chase. He, too, remained frozen. When it seemed neither of them were capable of movement, a sob escaped Maisy and she flew into his arms, wrapping herself around him.
Chase grabbed hold of her, crushing her against him as he brought her inside the condo.
Holding his head between her hands, she cried, “I’m sorry, so sorry. I love you, Chase. I…”
Chase groaned. He didn’t give her the chance to say anything more before his mouth flew to hers. His kiss was hungry, urgent, and intense, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. As if he’d been holding his breath since they were last together.
“I believe my work here is done,” Maisy heard Simon say. “I’m leaving you to sort everything out. All I ask is that you let me know the wedding date, so I can get it on my calendar.”
The door softly closed as he left.
Chase had yet to release Maisy. He kissed her again and again. By the time he finished, she was weak in the knees. It seemed impossible that she was in Chase’s arms, and at the same time she realized this was exactly where she was always meant to be. Where she longed to be. Life had been cold and empty without him.
“I love you, Maisy.”
She pressed her hand over his cheek. “I love you, too. I’ve been such an idiot and so utterly miserable. Can you forgive me?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” she repeated.
“There’s a penalty you need to pay me.” His eyes were bright with a teasing light.
“Oh?” She arched her brows, loving him so deeply it felt as if her heart would never be able to take it all in. It felt like a miracle that she was with him. She’d been walking in a fog for weeks, and now it felt as if the sun had broken out, dispersing the gloom that made it nearly impossible for her to function.
“One that’s going to take you a lifetime to repay.”
“A lifetime, you say.”
“Absolutely. The sooner I can make you my wife, the better.”
“But I signed up for my classes this afternoon, so it will need to be…”
“There are plenty of nursing schools in Chicago. You’ll get your degree, work however long you like, and come home to me every night.”
“I’m not a country club sort of girl.”
“Do you think I care?”
“But your business associates will have expectations…”
“Let them. There’s nothing that means more to me than being with you.”
“Okay.”
He arched one brow. “I expected an argument.”
“I’m not giving you one now. I might think of one later, but as of this moment, I don’t think I would survive another day without you. Besides, I have a small confession to make.”
“Oh?” Chase’s eyes filled with questions.
“I was listening in when Patrick called you after he broke his arm.”
“You were?”
“I could only hear one side of the conversation, which shows how hungry I was to find out anything I could about you.”
Chase kissed the tip of her nose. “I wish I’d known. I wanted to send Patrick a get-well gift, but then you’d know he’d called.”
