“I miss you.”
“Daniel, what coffee do you want?”
She was so close to falling apart, and she couldn’t handle this. Not right now.
“I want to wake up in the morning with you in my arms. To take you to college, and listen to your assignments so I can help you catch any words that don’t sound right. I want you to visit me at my office, and to take you to dinner. Above everything else, I want you to love me, Elizabeth.”
Staring at him, she couldn’t think. “What did you say?”
“Watching you walk away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t want you to leave. Hearing that you loved me, it didn’t make me angry or upset. All my life women have been falling at my feet trying to please me. You’ve been so different. I didn’t want you to fall in love with me, and you fought it. You fought it harder than anyone else. Here’s the thing, I fought it as well. I tried not to love that smile you give, or the little giggle when I do silly things just to hear it. The way you bite your lip when you’re so close to tears you don’t want anyone to see that you could be a little weak. How you worry even though you’re not helping anyone, the risks you take. Damn it, Elizabeth, I love you so fucking much that the past few days have been a nightmare. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. All I have done is drink to try and numb the pain, and every time I think of you, I feel like a total fucking asshole for letting you go. I’m old enough to be your father, and you know what? Age doesn’t mean shit. I love you. I want you, and if you’d be willing to give me a second chance.” He looked down at something, and when he lifted his hand up, she saw he had a ring in his finger. “I’d love for you to marry me.”
She couldn’t believe that he was offering her a ring.
Pinching her arm, she winced. Yep, she was awake.
“You want to marry me?”
“I love you, Elizabeth. I made a mistake.”
“Your rules—”
“What did I tell you? Rules were made to be broken.”
His words brought a huge smile to her lips. He’d told her that several times during their time together, reminding her that she only ever lived once, and she had to learn to live life to the fullest.
“Yes,” she said, laughing. “Yes.”
Without waiting another second, she rounded the counter, wrapping her arms around his neck, and he slammed his lips down on hers.
Applause met their kiss, and breaking away, she saw that everyone watched them.
He slid the ring on her finger, taking her hand, and moving away from the crowd. She glanced over to make sure it was okay with Andrew, and he gave her a thumbs-up.
Daniel found a private spot around the back of the building, and he pressed her up against it. His face went to her neck and he inhaled, holding her hands and locking their fingers together.
“I’ve been so fucking miserable without you, baby.” He pulled away, staring into her eyes.
“What about what your parents think?”
“I don’t care what they think. They’re out of my life now for good.”
“You’re ready to marry?” she asked.
“I’m ready to marry you. Only you. I’m in love with you, and have been for a lot longer than you think. I’ve fought it, and put it down to sex, but I know it’s not sex. Not even close.”
He kissed her lips, and she smiled.
“I want you back in my bed, Elizabeth.”
“There’s just one thing,” she said.
“What? You’re going to give me rules now? I think I can follow them.”
“You can call me Lizzie.”
He sank his fingers into her hair, pulling her down, and taking her lips once again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she chuckled. Maybe she shouldn’t have caved so quickly, but then, having the love of your life telling you that he loved you as well, how could she resist?
Epilogue
Two years later
They were married three months after he proposed, and Daniel didn’t have a single regret. Twirling his wedding band around his finger, he watched as his wife moved toward him, carrying their hot chocolates. Several women glared at her, but she only stared at him.
“Here you go, husband,” she said.
It was the annual Christmas party, and normally he didn’t attend as he had more important things to do. He always stayed in the building, but rarely joined because he used the guise of working not to be part of it all.
Taking her hand, he pulled her close, kissing her lips. This was also a celebration for them as well. Even though he’d proposed at New Year, and they’d married a few months after that, it was Christmas that he realized he couldn’t live without her, that he didn’t want to live without her.