"I got caught at work. Looks like we're about to take down another Westbridge alum for corporate fraud."
"That seems to be never-ending. But I love it."
"So do I. That school will never be the same."
"Good."
He sat down across from her and sipped his coffee. "How are the last two parts of your series coming?"
"The second one is done and being published tomorrow. The third will go out next week. I have to say the series is opening more doors than I ever imagined. I got a call from two major news networks that want to interview me about my investigation that helped expose the biggest financial conspiracy in American history." She smiled. "It's the best story I've ever written. I just wish it hadn't come at such a high personal cost."
"Landon would be proud of you."
"He would be. And now that I know the truth, it's getting easier to remember happy times with my brother and not the way his life ended. I want to honor the good he did."
"You are doing that every day."
"I'm trying. What's happening with you?"
"I got a call today about a job in DC, a promotion, actually, if I want it."
Her eyes widened. "Really? That sounds big. But I thought you loved working for Flynn."
"I do. My life is here. I love my work, my team, and I love you. How could I leave?"
"But if it's a big promotion…"
"I don't need a promotion to be happy. I have what I want. I turned them down."
She gave him a searching look. "Are you sure you don't want to think about it?"
"Do you want me to think about it?" he challenged.
"I just don't want you to turn something down for me. I love living here and working at theSentinel, but if you have a better opportunity elsewhere, Matt, I'll go with you. I can write anywhere. I want you to know that."
"That's very generous, Haley. But I'm good. I'm happy."
"Me, too," she said with a smile. She'd given up her apartment and moved into Matt's place two months earlier and was in the process of warming up his life in every possible way, including his décor.
They'd bickered about a few items, like an orange and red rug she'd wanted to put in the office, and the purple pillows for the bed, but those silly little arguments had ended in compromise and a passionate tumble in their beautiful bed.
"I never thought I'd feel so perfectly safe with someone, and I'm not talking about outside danger," she added. "You give me a sense of security that allows me to be myself, to let go of constantly trying to control everything, and just live in the moment."
"And you have not only brought the color back into my life in every possible way," he said with a teasing smile. “Every day you remind me that there is at least one good person in the world."
"There's more than one. You have to stop being cynical."
"You make that a lot easier." His gaze turned serious. "I mean that, Haley. You light up every room you're in, and I do not ever want to be out of your light."
Her eyes filled with moisture. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
"It's the way I feel. I never wanted to risk everything I had on love, but you made me realize it's not a risk, but it's you."
"I feel that way, too. So, we're staying in LA?"
"We're staying together," he corrected, reaching across the table to take her hand. "Wherever you go, I go."
"And wherever you go, I go," she promised.
