“We have more important things to do,” Rex said, hurrying her toward the lavish lobby stairs. He started up them.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” At the top he guided her along the hall, turned right at the end and a few rooms down stopped in front of a door. Putting the key in the lock, he opened the door wide.
“You were that sure of me?” Tiffani didn’t try to hide her suspicious tone.
His eyes took on a worried look. Was he anxious? Fearful she might reject him? She couldn’t think of a time she’d ever seen Rex anything but confident. Even when he’d been upset, having done all he could have for a patient.
“No, I was that hopeful. And we needed a quiet place to talk. You don’t have to come in if you don’t want to. And you’re free to leave anytime you wish.”
“I think I’ll take my chances.” Tiffani smiled and saw the tension in his shoulders ease.
She stepped to the middle of the room. It was decorated in a pale green. The walls, the window treatments, the carpet and the bedding were all a variation on the color, giving the space an elegant look. A large four-poster bed was the center of attention but there was a small sitting area near one window.
“Wow, this is a beautiful room. I’ve always wondered what one of the rooms at the Peabody looked like.”
Rex shrugged out of his jacket and walked to the sitting area, where he put it over the back of the small sofa. He loosened his tie and said, “Why don’t we sit? I need to say something to you.”
He didn’t touch her when she went past him. She took one of the two chairs and Rex sat on the settee, facing her.
“I have something I want to say first,” Tiffani said.
“My meeting, I go first.”
She sank back in her chair and put her hands in her lap. “All right.”
“I owe you an apology.”
That wasn’t at all what she’d expected.
“For how I acted about the accident being on TV,” he continued. “I know you were only doing your job. I trust you, and know you were telling me the truth about what happened. I’ve been so wrapped up in trying not to be who I used to be, I forgot to appreciate who I am now.”
Tiffani began to say something.
He put up a hand. “I’m not finished eating humble pie. I want to thank you for making me see what kind of parents I really have. I’ve let one part of their personalities overshadow everything about them, including the good. I went to see them the other day and told them how much I appreciate them.” He relaxed and watched her.
She waited for a few seconds. “May I talk now?”
He grinned. “Please do, before you explode.”
“I want to thank you. Because of you, I now see what my father was doing to me. How I was enabling him. I told him I wouldn’t be back to see him until he decided to take responsibility for himself. And about the accident being on the news, I’m sorry I hurt you. I didn’t intend to. I let the thought of a promotion get in the way. But it wasn’t worth losing you over.”
“You haven’t lost me.” Rex went down on one knee in front of her and took her hands. “I was afraid you wouldn’t forgive me.”
Raw emotion as sweet as spring water flowed from Tiffani. She cupped his face. “That would never happen.”
“I love you.”
She had no doubt he did. “I love you too.”
* * *
Rex lay back on the pillows piled against the headboard with Tiffani securely in his arms. He kissed her temple. His need for her had overwhelmed him to the point that talking was no longer possible. They had unfinished business. His future was with her and he needed to secure it.
“Shouldn’t we be thinking about going to the dinner? Dr. Nelson will miss us,” she murmured as she ran a hand over his chest.
“I don’t care if he does. I had more fun here with just you.”
“That was a nice thing to say. Speaking of nice things, I meant to tell you how handsome you looked in your suit. You cut a dashing figure.” She grinned.
“Don’t get too used to me dressing that way.”
Tiffani gave him one of those smiles he had missed so much.
“So have you heard anything about that promotion?” He needed to know. If she was moving he would be going with her, if she would have him. He would start his career over wherever she was.
“I got it.” Excitement filled her voice.
Rex was both glad and sad. He was pleased for her but he hated to leave his practice.
She was quick to say, “But I got a better offer today.”
Dared he hope?
She was already explaining. “Dr. Nelson wants me to come on board as the head of the Metropolitan’s PR department. He was so impressed with the campaign he said he couldn’t let me go.”
“Is that what you want? I’ll go wherever you are.” He meant it. Life without Tiffani would be intolerable.
“That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever offered to do for me, but I couldn’t take you from the hospital or the clinic.” She gave him a teasing smile. “And all your fans. The billboard company said your picture has been the most successful they have ever had.”
“Yeah.” There was no note of enthusiasm in his voice. “At least I have some claim to fame.”
She kissed him. “You’ll always be the most wonderful person to me.”
“And you to me.” He held her tight, secure in the knowledge he would never let her go.
* * * * *