Even in her own head she was starting to sound mean.
The elevator took her up to Caleb’s father, and she stepped off the lift, entering a large, luxurious office.
“Hello, Lauren, dear, I’m Martha, Timothy’s PA. He said you can go right in. Would you like a drink? Coffee? Tea?”
“Could I just have a glass of water?”
“Coming right up.” Martha smiled at her and left.
She entered Timothy’s office and the man himself stood near one of the windows. She was afraid of heights and the thought of being anywhere near windows freaked her out.
“Take a seat,” Timothy said.
“I wanted to apologize.”
“Caleb came to tell you how much he loved you and you’re here.”
“How did you know?”
“I called Caleb after reception told me you were here.”
“He’s coming here?”
“Probably. He’s already gone to your apartment and you’re not there. You’re here, to see me.”
“I guess I wanted to see if you were well with my own eyes.”
Timothy laughed. “Yes. I’m very well. Now, are you going to tell me how you feel about my son?”
“Right now, I don’t think you want to know.”
“Surprise me.”
“I’m angry at him.”
“That’s to be expected.”
“I don’t know what else to say about him, to be honest. I mean, he lied about you, and that’s why I agreed. I admire you a great deal, Mr. Turner.”
“Timothy.”
“But you know the truth.”
“I do?” Timothy asked.
“Yes, Caleb told you.”
“What Caleb told me is irrelevant. You see, he also told me how much he loves you. How much he wants to make this marriage between the two of you work.”
“It’s not going to work.”
“Why?”
“There’s no way it can work now, can it? We’re not engaged. It wasn’t a fall-in-love-at-first-sight.”
“No, it wasn’t love at first sight but I have a feeling it was certainly a falling-in-love.”
She averted her gaze.
“Do you love my son, Lauren?”
She wanted to keep looking away from him but instead, she turned her head and stared right at him.
“I can see you do. I’ve watched the two of you together. The first day was a little odd, but now I know why. In the past couple of months, you’ve changed for one another. You’re not a new couple. You’re comfortable and when you’re in crowds, you find each other. That is what love is.”
“But the lies.”
“And you were part of them. I can forgive Caleb for his lies and yours, but you need to make a decision here, Lauren. You’re in love with my son, I can see it. Will you punish him for his lies, or will you forgive him and see that love can win?”
“What about in the future and he lies?”
“It’s not going to happen,” Caleb said, shocking her as his voice filled the room.
She turned to see him, sweaty, unkempt. His shirt was out of his pants and there were wet spots beneath his arms.
“Did you know this place had stairs?” Caleb asked. “The elevator was in use and it was taking too freaking long. I ran.”
“Oh,” she said. “You know I was wondering—”
“I love you,” Caleb said. “I know I fucked up. I lied and I did it to get you to lie too. I’m sorry, but I’m not sorry for falling in love with you. I’m not sorry for taking a chance and for finally realizing what has been missing out of my life all this time. It’s you. Everything about you. I love waking up in the morning with you. You’re always so at peace, and I can watch you all morning. Enjoying food with you, watching you laugh. Seeing the smile in your eyes even as you’re trying to control what is making you laugh. I love all of it, Lauren. I love you.” He stopped and took several deep breaths. “I do a lot of running but I need to increase my stair-taking.”
She couldn’t help but laugh.
Caleb wasn’t done with his speech. “I know I could offer you millions. A life of luxury. You’d never want for anything but I know you. I know you don’t care about the money or the lifestyle. So I’m offering you me. I know it’s not much. I mean, I’m considered quite a catch. I’m good in bed, but I now know what love is. I’m not saying I won’t ever fuck this up. Of course, I will, but I will always come back to you. Always.”
He took several steps toward her. “I want you to be my woman, Lauren. The love of my life. The mother of my children, but only if you love me. Only if you want the same things from me.”
She stared at him, her heart was breaking but lifting at the same time. She couldn’t believe this was happening and yet it was one of the most amazing moments.
Glancing down at the ring on her finger, she slid it off and held it up for him. His shoulders slumped.