“I know there’s no way you meant anything malicious.” He held me in his arms, gently rubbing my back. Which only reminded me how sweaty and disgusting I felt after being in the kitchen all night. “I’ll make her understand that.”
“I just feel terrible,” I said, dropping my head against his chest. “She looked so betrayed.”
“My sister’s been burned before. She had a hard time making friends because, for a while there, it always felt like they were only using her for trips or connections. Especially when we were in college. People would post photos with her for clout, then turn around and talk shit behind her back and whatever.”
I nodded, sympathizing with her. “Girls can be cruel.”
“We all make mistakes,” he insisted. “But Amelia doesn’t know you like I do. I’ll make her understand.” He pulled me once more against his chest and tucked me under his chin. “I’ll talk to her. And Mom if I have to. I’ll make them understand.”
“How?” I asked.
“Simple. I’ll tell them I’m in love with you.”
The words washed over me like the first rays of morning light after a storm. Warm and comforting, filling the empty spaces of my heart with elation. Because I realized that I felt the same about him. Only I had to be sure he wasn’t doing this out of some misplaced desire to protect my job.
I looked up at him, searching his eyes. “You don’t have to say that.”
“Why not?” He shrugged, a warm smile spreading over his face. “It’s the truth.”
“We barely know each other.”
“That’s not true.” He leaned back against the counter, watching me with amusement, like a huge sense of relief had washed over him. “I don’t care how long it’s been. You see me. And I see you.”
“You’re out of your mind,” I said, biting back a laugh. Something about his disposition, almost effervescent, was infectious.
“Maybe,” he said, nodding. “But my heart knows exactly what it’s doing.”
“Oh, really?” I hoisted myself up on the opposite counter to sit. “And what’s that?”
“Well, I think that probably starts with making you my girlfriend.”
My lips curled. “That’s so cringe.”
He barked a laugh, shaking his head. “You really are going to make this difficult for me, aren’t you?”
“What about your parents?” I said, practically bouncing on the countertop because the excitement bubbling in my stomach was almost too much to contain.
“They love you too. Or they will. Maybe it will take them some time to grow into the idea. But I’ve got a solution for that.”
“Oh, really? I’m dying to hear what that is.”
“I go to London with you.”
If I’d been drinking, I would have spat it out all over him.
“No way your dad goes for that,” I told him.
Still the thoughts rushed through my head. Exploring the city together. Cozying up in a little flat above a charming cafe. Mornings in bed with tea. I’d never had a real adult relationship, and it almost felt like too much to hope for. I guess I’d let myself believe it was something for later. After I was settled. Established. Had myself on firmer financial footing, and I could start entertaining the idea of being responsible for anyone but myself. I’d never dared even get a houseplant for fear it would shrivel from neglect.
“I don’t plan on giving him a choice,” Charles stated emphatically.
He was starting to look a little punch-drunk and I worried about how much he’d had to drink. The man was seriously delirious.
“I’m going to tell him I want to take a year’s sabbatical from the company. Figure a few things out. I need this time before I can fully commit to taking on a bigger role in the family business. I can’t become theCEOif I still have all these questions about my future.”
“Wow,” I said. “You’ve really thought about this, huh?”
He came to stand between my legs, brushing errant strands of hair from my face.
