She was so cute, I had to smile. "If I’m lucky, it's good. But hey, you might see it differently."
"Really?"
"Really." I moved forward until only the shrubs were between us. "But first, tell me something. That check I sent – why didn't you cash it?"
"Because I didn't make it to the end."
"So come back."
She bit her lip. "You mean back to the show?"
"Forget the show. That's not what I meant." I searched her face. "Arden?"
"Yeah?"
"Come back tome."
She sucked in a breath. "What?"
"I love you. I've loved you for a long time, except I was too dumb to see it. But I do love you. And I'm hoping – praying – that you'll give me another chance – a chance to make things right."
She blinked. "Wait, what'd you say?"
With a sheepish grin, I asked, "Which part?"
"The part about you being in love." She swallowed. "With me."
I couldn’t wait another moment. I moved forward, wading through the shrubbery until I was standing close enough to touch. In a low voice, I said, "I love you, Arden Weathers."
Her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, wow."
"And you love me, too," I said. "Admit it." I held up a hand. "No, wait.Don'tadmit it."
"Wait, why not?"
"Because I don't deserve to hear it. Not yet. But tell me. Will you come back? Please?"
Chapter 74
Arden
Call me a sap, but it didn't take much convincing, especially after Brody sheepishly confessed that not only had he rescued the cookies from his brother, but also that he realized he'd been a total ass in refusing my peace offering in the first place.
According to Brody, the cookies were now hidden away in his freezer, where he'd cherish them until the end of time – or share them with me, if only I'd return.
And then, he'd threatened to make cookies of his own if Ididn'tcome back – playfully warning me that he didn't know a mixer from a monkey wrench, and that any cookies he made would be no treat for anyone, especially me.
Still, with love in his eyes, he vowed to keep on baking until I agreed to return.
By the end of his petition, I was laughing in spite of myself.
And Brody? Well, let's just say his words were a balm to my battered soul. And the look he gave me when I finally said "yes" was something I wouldn't soon forget, along with the feel of his lips brushing my ear as he leaned close to whisper, "You won't regret it."
When we pulled out of Cami's driveway an hour later, I was wearing fresh clothes – casual shorts and little black T-shirt – along with a smile of wonder.
He loved me.In my mind, I could still hear him telling me those three magical words.
"I love you."
