“I’m so sorry about that.” Once again, she was ruining their lives. Taking the job in Wilde and leaving them behind would be the hardest thing she would ever have to do, but she knew she must.
“No, baby, I’m the one who needs to be sorry,” Dustin said. “I’ve been a complete ass.”
“But I was the one who lied to you all those years.”
“We both made mistakes, Paris.”
Mick added, “We all three need to talk.”
Oh God, what’s happening? Dustin seemed truly sincere. Apologizing wasn’t something he did often, or ever. Why now? She recalled Mick getting down on his knee in front of her. Why were they confronting her together? Had Mick told him about wanting to marry her solo and Dustin had agreed it would be for the best? Maybe. Dustin never had wanted to commit to her. Oh my God, that’s it. That’s why they are calling me together. Her mind spun wildly with the notion and her heart began to rip in two. Dustin is letting me go for good. He’s fine with me marrying Mick. “
“Are you still there, baby,” Dustin’s voice came through loud and clear.
“I’m just totally confused right now. What exactly do you want?”
“I want you, baby. I can’t live without you in my life. Please, give me a chance to explain myself?”
She felt a big ache in the center of her chest diminishing, hearing the sadness in his voice. “But I thought…I mean…you really do want me?”
“Yes, sweetheart, I do. I do so much you can’t even imagine how much. I love you, Paris. I can’t lose you again. I won’t. Understand?”
“Yes.” Oh God, am I dreaming? “You forgive me for not telling you about medical school and being a surgeon?”
“Yes, baby. I forgive you. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Oh, yes. Not only do I forgive you, it’s forgotten. I can’t believe this. I thought you didn’t love me anymore.”
“I never could stop loving you, Paris. You’re my world, my everything.”
He hadn’t given up on her. Neither had Mick. They’d tried in different ways to help her out of her doubts, but she’d resisted all their attempts. No more. “I love you, Dustin. Mick, can you hear me still?”
“I hear you, baby.”
“I love you. Thank you for never giving up on us.”
Mick laughed. “Surrender isn’t in my DNA, sweetheart.”
“Oh God, this is for real.”
“Real as can be.”
She’d taken a terrible detour after Phoenix, breaking up with the two men who would do anything for her. Love was worth fighting for. They were worth fighting for.
No more detours. I can’t stay in Wilde, as wonderful a place as it is. My home is Destiny and my heart belongs to Dustin and Mick. “I’m in Wilde, Nevada. I’m going to drive home tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you.”
“We’re in Wilde, too, baby,” Mick said. “We’re walking into the hospital now.”
“You are? Really?”
“Yes, really,” Dustin said. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the ER. I still can’t believe it. You actually followed me all the way here.”
“Yes, I did,” behind her an unfamiliar voice answered.
She turned around and saw a bearded man aiming a gun at her.
“Put the phone down, bitch.”