Page 41 of A Christmas Negotiation

“I’m so glad it all worked out. But I’m still not sure how that helped you figure out what you want.”

“I ended up telling my mom something you said the night we met.”

Isabel narrowed her eyes in confusion. “Good Lord, Jeremy. What in the heck were you talking to your mom about?”

He laughed so hard that she could see his body relax. “Love. We were talking about love.”

“I don’t remember us discussing that. At all.”

“When you were telling me your universal truths. You said that you believe that love is the only thing that ever saves anyone. And as soon as the words came out of my mouth, I realized that you saved me. You brought me back to life.”

He reached out and smoothed her hair back and she peered up into his eyes, which were full of tenderness and love, the things she most craved. “If I did that, Jeremy, it was only because you make it easy. You’re so pure of heart. It’s impossible to not get caught up in that. To admire it.”

“If that’s the case, it’s because I’m better when I’m with you. That’s all there is to it. And I don’t want to walk away from what’s already between us.”

Isabel’s mind raced. She felt the same way. Exactly. And it was only leaving her with one conclusion.

He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “It might sound crazy...”

Oh my God.

“I know we’ve only known each other for a little while...” he continued.

“But I love you.” They both said it. At the exact same time.

For a moment, they sat there, staring at each other in disbelief. Then the laughter came and an embrace and finally a kiss that made every bad thing that had ever happened fade into nothingness. Isabel had waited her whole life for this moment, and she knew Jeremy had, too.

“The baby,” she said. “I know it’s a lot.”

“Of course it’s a lot. But I’m forty years old. I don’t want to let life pass me by. I don’t want to let you or this moment pass me by. We have to take everything life has given us here, Isabel.”

“We have to take each other.”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“And never let go.”

EPILOGUE

“Do you think it’s cheesy to get married on Valentine’s Day?” Mindy posed the question to Isabel as they stood in the grand master bedroom of Sam and Mindy’s splendid new home.

Isabel shook her head, helping her future sister-in-law adjust the bustle of her wedding gown. It was a jaw-dropping bias-cut silk charmeuse that hugged every curve. Isabel was guessing Sam might pass out the minute he saw her. “No. I think it’s sweet.”

“It was Sam’s idea, you know. Who knew he could be such a sap?”

“I knew. I knew it all along.” Isabel already found herself blinking away tears. It would be a miracle if she could get through the ceremony without sobbing. Pregnancy hormones were definitely getting the best of her, but she relished every frantic and slightly chaotic moment of it. She’d be twelve weeks along in six days, then she and Jeremy would finally tell his parents. It’d been a bit of a rocky road to start with them, but they were making strides, especially since Jeremy’s dad had apologized for trying to drag Isabel through the mud.

“How are we doing in here?” Sophie ducked into the room with Emma at her side.

Emma, who was showing all five months of her pregnancy, clasped her hand over her mouth when she saw Mindy. “You look so gorgeous. Sam is going to freak.”

“You do look amazing. But I figured you already knew that,” Sophie said, wandering farther into the room.

Mindy shot her a look. “A bride still wants to hear it, you know.”

Sophie sat on the edge of the bed, watching Mindy adjust her hair. “I’m still surprised you didn’t opt for a big wedding, but I suppose you’ve always been a bit contrary.”

“After Emma and Daniel got married at city hall, I started to see the wisdom of it,” Mindy said. “Having something low-key means way less drama. Plus, Sam didn’t want to wait any longer, and honestly, I didn’t want to, either.”