GABE (Silicon Valley Billionaires 2)

I grabbed the coffees and made a beeline for my room, before she could scrutinize me further. “Sure.”

“Hannah?”

“Yes?”

“I love you.”

That stopped me in my tracks, and my eyes filled with annoying tears—just like they did every time she told me she loved me, which was every five minutes these days. “I love you too. Now stop being such a sap, geez! Getting engaged has turned you into an emotional basket case.”

“It’s not because I’m engaged.” Lauren sighed, picking imaginary lint off the fitted navy blazer I’d bought for her. “I’m emotional because I’m so happy you’re back and that you’re safe.”

I put the mugs on the counter, pulling her in for another hug. At my lowest point back in that dirty condo, where they’d kept me in a dark room, I’d often wondered if I’d ever see her again. “Me too. Me too.”

I paced back and forth at the foot of the bed. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”

“Yes, honey, for the tenth time, I’m going to be fine.” Wes gave me a very patient, and very irresistible, smile. He had one of those smiles that produced two vertical grooves on each of his cheeks; for some reason, I found them mesmerizing. I often traced and retraced those lines, wanting to memorize them with my fingertips.

But this morning, guilt overwhelmed me too much to be distracted by Wes’s handsome face. My shoulders slumped. “But what will you do when you get hungry?”

“Get in the wheelchair, with the help of the nurse, and go get a sandwich. With the help of the nurse.”

I grimaced, knowing he hated the wheelchair. He probably hated having a nurse too, but he never complained. “Speaking of sandwiches—I made you a turkey, bacon, and avocado one, on the ciabatta bread you like from the bakery downtown. It’s in the fridge.”

He beamed. “You’re the best. C’mere.” He patted the bed next to him and took my hand when I got close enough. “I know you’re nervous about leaving me, but don’t be. The nurse will be here, security’s here, and I’m fine. I’m also thrilled that you’re going back to work. I think it’ll be good for you.”

I brightened. “You do?”

“Yeah, I do. I know how much you love your job and your friends at Paragon. You’ve been rattling around the house for the past few weeks, totally focused on taking care of me—you need to get on with your life. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“Wes, don’t be ridiculous! I’ve loved being home with you.”

“It has been sort of awesome. But you know what’s even better?”

“No.”

“Now I get to see you in your sexy work clothes”—his eyes traveled appreciatively down my black dress to my leopard-print heels—“and watch the NFL draft nonstop without you constantly changing the station. Win-win.”

“Ha.” I reached out and stroked his cheek. “I hate to leave you, though.” Suddenly, I found myself near tears for the second time this morning.

He captured my hand underneath his larger one, and I caught a flash of it again—his worry. “I’ll be here when you get home, I promise. But I want you to promise you’ll keep security with you today, even while you’re at the lab.”

I nodded. “I promise.”

Careful to avoid smudging my makeup, Wes kissed the top of my head. “Go get ’em. And have a great day.”

I looked up, my heart suddenly thudding in my chest. “I will. And Wes?”

“Yeah?”

We looked at each other for a beat, my courage faltering. “I—I love you.”

His face split into a grin, showcasing those lines that I also loved. “I love you too. I’m pissed that you said it first, though. I had plans.”

“You did?”

He clasped my hands and squeezed. “Of course I did. I’ve been wanting to tell you for what feels like forever…I just wanted to be at the top of my game when I said it.”

“So you could show off your big muscles while simultaneously declaring yourself?”