She mentally ran the numbers, and excitement bubbled inside of her. “That’s really fast. You’re doing even better than the high-growth trajectory I developed for you.”
“We are. Your analytics are part of what convinced the venture capitalists, actually.”
“I think it was your designs and aggressive marketing strategy.”
“Okay, that may have had something to do with it.” He laughed, but the look in his eyes was soft. “Having you with me this whole time has meant everything to me, though. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” The past few months had been busy for the both of them, but together, they’d made it work. “It’s the same for me.”
His expression went serious. “You said you were having the meeting with the partners at your firm today. How did it go?”
“They offered me a promotion again. Principal econometrician. Five direct reports in addition to my trusty intern.”
“And?”
She took a breath before saying, “I accepted it.”
His lips fell open, and in the next moment, he crushed her in a fierce embrace. He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Do you regret it?”
She burrowed closer to him and breathed in his scent. “No. I’m nervous about it, but mostly, I’m happy.”
“So proud of you.”
She smiled so big her cheeks ached. “The promotion comes with a large bonus. I’m warning you in advance I’m buying you a new car.”
When he pulled back, she worried he was upset. She couldn’t read the shuttered look on his face as he said, “I can buy myself a new car.”
She bit her lip to keep from frowning, but she understood if he had to earn his own way. She didn’t need to spoil him. She just wanted to.
“But I want the same model as yours,” he continued. “And I like black.”
She tilted her head to the side and drew in a slow breath. “Does that mean . . . ?”
“It means if you want to buy me a car, I want to drive it.” His lips curved with a suggestive grin, and his eyes danced. “If you want to buy me boxers, I want to wear them.”
Her chest filled with lightness, and she grabbed his hand so she wouldn’t accidentally float away. “It means you love me.”
He interlaced their fingers the way he always did and squeezed. “That’s right. It’s economics.”
THE END