“Let it out,” I insisted. “That guy is ridiculous. Is it politically correct to call someone like him a poser douchebag?”
“Likely not, but I’ll keep your secret,” she said.
Hayden was smiling and relaxing. Finally I felt that I could almost breathe again. “Now that he’s gone, you’re free to go back to your regularly scheduled summer activities,” I said. “I would be honored if I could help you with some of those.”
Her teeth skated along her bottom lip while she thought. “You’ll forgive me for overreacting?”
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“Really?”
I reached out for her hand, relieved when she took it. “A lot has gone on in the past week. You thought I was keeping something from you. You thought that I was intentionally messing up your security systems. You thought that I put a tracker on Craig’s car.”
Those pretty little lips fell open, but before she could speak I added, “Oh, right – I actually did that.”
Hayden burst out laughing again.
“For the record,” I said, “he’s been parked at his mom’s since he scuttled home this morning.”
“He’s probably too scared to go anywhere,” she said.
“Is that so bad? He made you terrified to go anywhere for a month. Let him sweat for a little while for a change.”
Nodding, she gave my hand a squeeze. “Good point.”
“Hayden,” I said as gently as I could, lifting her hand to my side, “this spot right here has been aching all day. Knowing you’re upset feels like being stabbed.”
I moved her hand up to place it over my heart. “The only way I’m surviving is that this here is still full of hope. My feelings for you are absolutely gigantic. I’d love a chance to prove that to you, any way you like.”
Those perfect lips turned up in a saucy smile. “Any way at all?”
“Absolutely. Dinner on the highest rooftop in the city? Name the place. Catered cocktails on the beach in our own private pavilion? Why not. Wait, I know. We could go to a jeweler and buy you the biggest diamond they have in the store. Sounds good?”
“Pfft,” she blurted. “I’ve never owned a diamond in my life. I don’t think I want to start with something purchased on a whim.”
“Trust me, it would be the first of many,” I said. “Actually, hold on a second.”
Reaching into the glove compartment, I grabbed my trusty tape measure, placed her finger on it, then pulled out my phone to take a photo. Then I wrapped the tape around her ring finger, taking another shot.
Hayden laughed merrily. “You are so strange.”
“That’s one of the many things that you love about me,” I said with a wink, tossing the tape measure back in the glove compartment and snapping it shut. I let my hand drop to her knee, giving it a squeeze. “I know that you do.”
“Do what?”
Leaning in, I pulled her as close as I could, nuzzling under her ear as I whispered, “Love me.”
I pulled back to look at her, flushed and confused.
“It’s okay, baby. I know because I love you too. Our hearts have a whole psychic connection thing going on.”
Her mouth fell open in a perfect O as she blinked several times. Then she smiled. “That’s not a thing.”
“It could be a thing. You don’t know everything.”
Staring at those perfect lips, my heart nearly stopped until she finally said, “I love you too.”
My arm darted around to pull her closer as I kissed her gently. “My favorite words ever,” I murmured. Her lips parted for mine, as we melted into a deep, satisfying kiss.