Tumble (Dogwood Lane 1)

Taking a step toward Neely, ignoring the audience we’re beginning to attract, I take her hand. “I’m sorry for being a dick when you told me you were leaving.”

“Will you listen to me?” she asks. She sniffles back a laugh, squeezing my hand.

“No. This is my moment.” I bite my lip to keep from saying anything else for a moment because if I do, I know I’ll cry like a pussy. “Life isn’t about playing it safe or playing the odds. If I listened to either of them, I’d be home right now. But an old man came by the house late last night and asked what I was going to do about you leaving. I had flights pulled up but hadn’t pulled the trigger. Mia had gone to bed, and Haley was on the couch.” I look up at the spectators. “She’s the nanny, just clarifying.”

The lobby rolls with laughter from the five or six people watching. Neely sets her briefcase down and takes my other hand in hers.

I don’t want to think this might be working, but it damn sure feels like it. My heart pounds in my chest as I go in for the kill.

“Dad said something smart for once,” I say. “He said life is not about what happens to you, but how you react to it. My reaction to you leaving is to come and get you because I don’t see another way to live without you by my side. And I know a little girl who thinks the world of you, and I’d be honored if you’d be a part of her life too.”

“Just marry him,” the receptionist cries. “If you don’t, I will.”

Neely flashes her a look to stay put before turning back to me. “Can I talk now?”

“Depends on what you’re going to say.”

She searches my eyes for a moment. I remain as unguarded as I can, completely opening myself up to her inspection.

“I love you, Dane.”

“Yes!” The receptionist gets to her feet and claps.

“I like your enthusiasm,” I tell her.

Neely laughs, blinking back tears. “I love you. I love Mia. And I love that you’re here.”

“I had to come. It was a long time coming.” I lean forward and press a kiss against her lips. She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me back like she means it.

For the first time in my entire life, my world feels like it’s complete. There’s a warmth rising from the center of my chest, and I can’t fight it if I try.

Despite being in New York, having Mia so far away, being in the reception area of a company that was my mortal enemy until a few moments ago, everything is right in this moment. In this one spot of time, my world is perfect.

Lifting her up, I spin her in a circle and enjoy the feeling of her in my arms.

“I hope you know I’m never letting you go now,” I whisper in her ear.

“I hope you know I’m never going to let you.” She lays her cheek against mine and sighs. “I missed you, Dane.”

“I missed you, babe.” I put her back on her feet as the crowd cheers. Resting my forehead against hers, I laugh. “I didn’t embarrass you, did I?”

“Hardly.”

Looking up at Mr. Heart Attack, I nod. “I’m sorry if I made a spectacle out of your lobby.”

His large belly bounces up and down as he chuckles. “Son, that was the best thing to happen in this building in the twenty-five years I’ve worked here. I think you’ve given us all something to think about.”

“Yeah, like how I need a guy with a southern accent like that.” The receptionist shrugs. “I can’t help it. I’d be putty in his hands.”

I lace our fingers together and pull Neely against me. The contact is something I need. We went without it for too long.

“Frank,” Neely says, “thank you for understanding.”

“I’m glad it all worked out.” Frank takes a step toward me. “I think the best man probably won this round.”

He extends a hand, and I shake it with my free one, which happens to be my left and a little awkward. Still, I’m not letting her go.

Looking down at Neely, I shrug. “Do you need to file something that shows you quit?”

She exchanges a look with Frank and they laugh.

“What’s so funny?” I ask.

“She quit before she knew you were here,” he says. “You already had her before your speech, but it was nice to get to witness.”

My jaw drops. “You quit? Before you came out here?”

She nods. “I didn’t come here to quit. I just sat in his office and everything kind of made sense. Or it didn’t make sense, I mean.” She leans her head on my shoulder. “I kept thinking about you and Mia and Mom, and I realized . . .” She looks at Frank. “I can do what I want to do from other places. It doesn’t have to be here. And I don’t have to sacrifice my happiness to do it. There’s no need to be a martyr. I can have a life and friends . . .”