Logan brought his hand up to her face. He cupped her cheek and sighed with the relief of touching her again. “You’re my biggest dream, Marti. You. Everything else I ever get in life will be just a bonus. And the fact that you did that for me, put your career on the line, speaks volumes.”
This is the moment of truth. Right here, right now.
“You once said understanding goes deeper than knowledge. There are many people who know you, but there are very few who understand you.”
“I never said that,” she whispered.
“No. But you didn’t have to. It was that quote on your wall, but it was different from the others, and you didn’t need to tell me it was how you felt or that it was about you. Because I don’t just know you, McBride, I get you. I understand you. I think I always have. Right fr
om the start.” He slid a hand in her hair. “And I love you. I love your smart mouth, your cynicism, and your bratty opinions. I’m totally lost to you.”
Her throat bobbed, so he continued, “You said you might love me. Did you mean it? Do you? Or is it still a question?”
She glanced away, a sob escaping the back of her throat.
His pulse raced, unable to read the look on her face, so when she said nothing, he shook her, willing her to speak. “Marti, so help me, if you don’t answer—”
“I do. There is no doubt. I was just afraid.” She tipped her chin up, meeting his eyes. Tears coated her lashes and her lower lip shook. “Do you think I stopped loving you just because you didn’t believe me? Love doesn’t work that way. Even I know that.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re arrogant, but you’re funny and persistent, and you care more about people than you probably should. And you’re by far the smartest, stupidest man I know. You claim to know so much about love, yet you thought I’d just move on in the space of a weekend?”
Logan grinned. “I’m not sure I’ve ever been so happy to be called stupid.” Then he pressed his mouth over hers, shutting her up and pulling her in. Her lips were soft and warm—a welcome home. He could kiss her forever and not tire of her mouth, the feel of her breath tangling with his.
When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers. “So are we in this, McBride? You and me?”
“On one condition.” She peered up at him.
“What’s that?”
Her lips curved into a grin. “If this time it’s for real.”
“It’s definitely for real.” He brushed his lips over her forehead. “There’s only one problem.”
“What?” she asked, taking the bait.
“You’ll need a new title.”
She arched a brow. “A new title?”
“If you’re no longer the Queen of Single, you’ll need a new nickname.”
Marti grinned and reached down, clasping their hands. “Hmm . . . That is a problem, isn’t it?” She tugged him toward the elevator and he followed.
He’d follow her anywhere.
Then he said it out loud one more time, needing to hear it. “Well, you are hopelessly in love now.”
“Hopelessly,” she confirmed.
They stepped onto the elevator and glanced over at each other as the doors closed. Once they were shut inside, Marti turned, tugging him to her. “Thank you, Logan.”
“For what?”
“For making me fall.” Then she kissed him.
EPILOGUE
Marti
ONE MONTH LATER . . .