She was going home. Leaving tomorrow night and taking the red-eye.
Away from Eric.
Tears stung the backs of her eyes and she sniffled, allowing herself the moment of sadness in the privacy of her hotel room. He was a once-in-a-lifetime guy and it sucked that she had to leave him behind. There was no other way to look at it.
When it was time to meet him downstairs, she dropped her phone into her bag and touched up her makeup; she didn’t want him to see that she’d been crying. Ryan hadn’t called back, so she locked the door behind her and figured future plans could wait. Right now she wanted to spend every last moment she could with Eric.
He was waiting for her at the doors, and her heart leaped at the sight of him. His smile was just for her, and he kissed her cheek and told her he’d hired a car to take them to the gardens and back.
The car wasn’t just a car—it was a limousine, and Molly felt slightly conspicuous and very pampered. Once at the gardens, Eric paid their admission and they meandered through the various styles of garden. The Japanese garden was tranquil and serene, with flowing water, Japanese maples, and rhododendrons everywhere. The rose garden was nothing short of absolute splendor, boasting over two hundred varieties of roses and a trellised archway heavy with climbing blooms. The scent was heavenly, and Molly gave a happy sigh at the sensory delight it provided. Eric bought them gelato at the Italian Garden, the sweet and cool treat a perfect choice for the heat of the late afternoon. Molly’s favorite, though, was the Sunken Garden. The paths led around it but the colors were bright and showy and simply stunning. They found a vacant bench and sat for a few minutes, eating their cones of gelato, enjoying the sun.
“I’m going to miss you,” Eric said, his voice low.
The words sent a pang through her heart and she lowered her cone. “Oh, Eric, me too. This has been so incredible. I can’t believe it’s over tomorrow...but it is. We can’t freeze time.”
“Would you? If you could?”
A lump formed in her throat. “I would. Even though it would hurt more to leave you the longer we’re together. I just... I don’t know. We haven’t talked about what’s next. I don’t think we’ve wanted to, and spoil the moment.”
“My business is headquartered out of Montreal.”
“And I’m not licensed to practice in Canada.”
“And it would be silly to talk about things like...relocating based on a vacation fling.”
She met his gaze. “This wasn’t just a fling for me. Just so you know.”
“For me, either.”
Her heart stuttered. They were laying it all out there now. They genuinely cared for each other. It was in all they said and didn’t say. She got up and took her half-eaten gelato to a trash can; she was no longer hungry. When she came back she sat down and took his hands in hers.
“We could try the long-distance thing, maybe. Boston and Montreal aren’t that far of a plane ride. Plus you’ve had business in Boston before...”
His dark eyes plumbed hers. “Could we? Or would it just make things harder?”
Her chest cramped. “I’m just saying...we could try, if we both wanted to. See how it goes.”
Tourists milled about, but Molly ignored them as she looked into Eric’s face. “I’ve never felt like this before. I think I want the chance to see what we look like in the real world before I
give up.”
Eric put his palm against her cheek. “You are the most amazing woman. I arrived here tired and jaded, and now... I can’t even describe it. You’re different from anyone I’ve ever met. I can’t say no to that.”
Relief washed over her and she slid closer for a hug. “Oh, God, I’m so glad to hear you say that. We can figure out the particulars later. I’m just glad tomorrow isn’t the very last day and I’ll never see you again.”
“Me too. And we still have tonight.”
Hand in hand, they meandered over to the carousel house, listening to the tinny chime of the music as it went around in circles, to the delight of the handful of children still at the gardens even though the day was growing shorter. “Look,” she whispered, pointing. “They’re all different animals. Oh, I haven’t been on one of these since I was a little girl, and I went on with Jack.”
“Then we definitely need a ride,” Eric decreed, and once again he fished out the money to pay. When the carousel stopped, they got on. She perched on one of the larger horses, a classic, and instead of getting on his own pony, Eric stood beside her, his hand on the pole, his gaze glued to hers. And when they were spinning around and around to the music, he said, “I’m falling in love with you, Molly.”
The impact of those words hit her right in the solar plexus, stealing her breath. No one had ever said those words to her before. They’d liked her, cared about her, had fun with her, but no one had ever used the word love, not even at the height of her most serious relationship. He’d used every word but, and it had eaten away at her confidence. For a long time she’d wondered if perhaps she wasn’t lovable. Or if she didn’t deserve it.
But Eric had just said it. And she was glad that it hadn’t happened before. Because at this moment it simply felt right.
“I’m falling in love with you, too, Eric.”
And when he kissed her she wasn’t sure if she was dizzy from the ride or the kiss or a combination of both.