Dylan glanced at him, frowning.“In front of all these fat cats and glitterati?You got balls, and I admire that.”He rubbed his chin as he watched Brooklyn take champagne from one of the servers and move around the edge of the crowd.“I doubt she’d appreciate us making a big scene.”
“Maybe.Maybe not.But she’s worth it either way.Whatever she wants.”
“Yeah.”Dylan punched him on the shoulder.“Whatever she wants, man.I’m right there with you.”
Together, they made their way through the crowds of men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns.He nodded absently to the people who called out to him, but he didn’t look their way.He was a man on a mission.He refused to be distracted or diverted.
Brooklyn Foster appeared even more beautiful up close.Those big blue eyes widened when she spotted them.He saw her take in a quick breath, holding her champagne glass up as if it were a shield.
He hated that the mistake he’d made had come between them.He’d charged in like a white knight, thinking that he’d known what was best.Then he’d refused to see her side of things, believing she would come around to his way of thinking.It had been arrogant.He’d made a mistake and risked everything they’d had together.He’d risked love and happiness because he’d been too damned determined to give her what he thought she wanted, even though she had warned him not to get involved.
But now he had one last chance to make this right.
“Brooklyn,” he said softly as the two of them stopped in front of her.He had to resist the powerful urge to sweep her into his arms and simply kiss her until she realized exactly how much he loved her, needed her.“Thank you for coming.”
“I didn’t have a choice.I’m the new director for the trauma center after all.”
“You look amazing,” Dylan said.“You’re going to be perfect for this.”
She gave him a distracted smile.“Thank you.”She hesitated.“I thought long and hard about turning it down.But I can do a lot of good, so at the end of the day, this isn’t about me.”
Now was the time to make his play.If he didn’t, he would lose her.
He reached out and took her hand.Nothing more than that.He held her slim hand in both of his, looking her right in the eyes.
She seemed surprised, but she didn’t draw away.His heart soared because that was the second sign that he might be able to repair what he’d done.The first had been her showing up here at all, but the second was just as important.She wasn’t pushing him away.Not yet.
“I’m a fool,” he said simply.“I have no excuses.You told me not to get involved.I didn’t listen to your wishes.I failed you, Brooklyn.I can’t tell you how deeply sorry I am.”
She blinked and bit her lower lip, watching him with those pretty eyes he loved so much.That blue that melted his heart, especially when he saw joy and happiness there.
“I throw money at problems,” he continued.“That’s what I do.It’s what I’ve always done.But this time, that was exactly the wrong thing to do.I was furious that Gibson was going to stop you from having your chance at your dream.I wanted you to be happy.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but he suddenly felt a burst of fear, as if what he’d said hadn’t been enough.If she spurned him now, he knew the three of them would have no hope of making a future together.This wasn’t something money could fix.It was about feelings.Emotion.Love.
That was it.He needed to take the biggest risk possible and tell her how he really felt.He had no other choice.
“I love you,” he said before she had her chance to speak.“With all my heart.I love you.I love Dylan, and I love you.For me, it’s that simple.I’m not a perfect man, but I will do everything in my power to try and make you happy.I promise that.”
She was watching him with wide eyes.Dylan was watching him with eyes just as wide.
He knew he’d surprised them with the brazen declaration out here in the open where anyone could hear, but he didn’t care.Dylan knew already, but it was long past time that Brooklyn knew as well.As for the rest of the world?They could hear it loud and clear.
He loved Brooklyn Foster.
Brooklyn’s mind was reeling.Tonight had been overwhelming to begin with, the big event, the stress of knowing she’d see Lucas and Dylan again, the ache in her heart at how badly she missed them… But now, Lucas had just poured his heart out, not giving a damn if any of the people around them overheard him.
And he loved her.He’d said it.She’d heard it with her own ears.
She swallowed, the lump in her throat making it hard to talk.I love you.Those words were bright as neon in her brain.She wanted to say them back.Being away from them had been hell, and she’d hated every second of it.But she’d needed this.The gesture from Lucas.She’d needed him to show he understood how he’d hurt her, even though she knew he’d had the best intentions.
But it seemed tonight wasn’t her night to talk, because Dylan moved up beside her and boldly slipped an arm around her waist.He flashed that mischievous grin at her as he leaned in close to whisper in her ear.
“I love you, Doctor Beautiful.I’m dirty.I’m dumb.And I have a large dick.But I love you more than anything.”
She burst out laughing and turned to him, not believing what he’d just said.“Was that third part of the list supposed to be a negative?”
Dylan was grinning from ear to ear now.He gave a nonchalant shrug.“I thought I’d throw it in there.To tempt you back.”
