“I’ll take that deal,” he said with a smile and kissed her, pulling the covers up over them because her skin felt cold.
“Jack,” Britt said.
“Yes.”
“Remember when I took the day off work just so we could spend it together?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you ditch me that day? I’ve always wondered.”
“I heard you on the phone with Marj. You said ‘how did a one night stand get so out of control?’ Those words cut deep. So I pouted like a child. I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t know you heard that. And I’m sorry too. I think I was going through so many emotions at the time. I didn’t think it was wise to get involved with the boss’s son. I don’t know why I can’t take chances.”
“That’s why I’m here. To push you past those walls you have up. You can’t live your life watching the world from your front door.”
She laughed. “I love the places you take me.”
“Stick with me, kid. I’m going to take you to the moon and back.”
They both burst out in laughter and Britt enjoyed watching his face light up.
Britt lay in his arms for a few minutes just soaking up the warmth and contentment of being with him, being so close again after all their mistakes and all their misunderstandings. It was amazing to believe that they had come out on the other side of that turmoil stronger and closer than ever.
“I love you,” she said, whispering it against his chest as she laid her cheek over his beating heart.
“Do you really?” he teased.
“Oh, yeah,” she said with a self-effacing laugh. “You took me to the Ocean Club and told me you wanted me to see it because you were proud of it and I was just gone. Head over heels. It scared me. I’ve never felt like this, not about anybody. It’s so nerve-wracking, like we’re back in high school and I’m afraid you won’t pass me a note before gym or something.”
He smiled, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll always pass you a note, Britt.”
“I left you a message because I got your file. I thought all this time it was your insurance paperwork and I was avoiding it because I was so upset about us.”
“What did you think of the apartment?”
“I assume you’re not serious.”
“Why wouldn’t I be serious?”
“Because that was two weeks ago and you can’t possibly want to move in with me when we just got together.”
“I said I wanted you to give me a real chance, Britt. That’s a real chance.”
“Well so is living in our own apartments and sleeping over sometimes.”
“I don’t want sometimes. I don’t want once in a while. I’m not going to be your sometime man.”
“That sounds like a song title to me.”
He shot me that beautiful smile. “That’s not a half bad idea. The point is, though, that I want to be with you all the time.”
“We work together. Wouldn’t living together be too much?”
“Not for me. I love how you make me feel when I’m with you. There is no too much when it comes to us. But if you want to wait, we can wait. I thought since there was a roof garden...”
“I want to grow herbs. Like fennel and rosemary and stuff.”