“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” he said, staring at her as if she had suddenly started speaking in a foreign language.
“No more ridiculous than you thinking I would dump you because I was embarrassed about your job,” she answered tartly.
“How could you possibly think I would get bored with you? I’m in love with you. I have been since almost the beginning, and that hasn’t changed even during all the time we’ve been apart.”
“And how could you think I really cared if you had a degree or what uniform you wore to your job?” she returned. “I’m in love with you, not your résumé.”
He went very still. Realizing exactly what she had just said, she did the same. They stood there for a long time, simply staring at each other. And then Mike reached out for her.
Norman retreated in satisfaction as Catherine melted into Mike’s arms.
“You were gone for so long,” she sighed a while later as he loomed over her in her bed.
He cupped her face between his hands and smiled ruefully down at her. “I had a lot of growing up to do.”
“I suppose we both did,” she replied, tugging him down to her. Apparently, they had both learned some valuable lessons during the past months, Catherine thought, eagerly welcoming him home. “But you’re back now.”
“I’m back now,” he repeated against her lips. “And this time I’m here to stay.”