“Yes, just got here. Are you in bed?”
“Yes.”
I glance at my empty bed.
“You should have come with me. Say you will and I’ll come right back to get you.”
She laughs. “You waited two weeks—what’s one more day?”
I sigh. “I’ll make you forget about those two weeks. I promise you that.”
“Knowing your methods, can I just say I’m looking forward to that?”
“Say anything, baby.” I’m laughing, happy. “When I get you here tomorrow, the only thing you’ll be saying is my name.”
“Maybe I’ll run away.”
“I’ll find you. No matter where you go.”
She sighs. “I love you.”
My heart fills. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. “I love you too.”
Chapter 31
She loves me.
She’s mine.
And I love her too, more than life itself.
The next few weeks, I can barely let her out of my sight. I’m the happiest man in the world and it’s all because of her.
Not long after her engagement party, Laurie announces her plans to move out of their apartment to be with Brett. Rachel is heartbroken, but I finally convince her to move in with me.
That’s not the only big move in her life. She leaves Gilt Travel and moves to its more respected sister publication, Gilt Review, where she has always wanted to build a career.
But I am the lucky one. I’m the one who gets to wake up beside her every morning and fall asleep with her in my arms.
She loves me.
“How was your farewell party?” I ask her. We’re on our way to the theater for Aidan’s opening night, and she is breathtaking in a black dress and her signature barely there makeup.
I love you, Rachel.
“I shed a few tears,” she says with a sad smile. “But I consoled myself with the thought that I’m moving on to bigger and better things.”
I chuckle. I know leaving Gilt Travel and all her friends is bound to be hard for her, but she’ll be in the same building, close to them, so it’s not that bad. “I love how happy you look at the prospect of editing short stories. It’s charming.”
“Oh, shut up.” She punches my arm, laughing. “We can’t all build hotels all over the world. This is my equivalent, if you really want to know. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do…well, after I changed my mind from undercover agent and racecar driver.”
“You’re an excellent under the covers agent,” I concede.
She tries to maintain a disapproving expression, but she can’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I…I have no idea what to say to that.”
“What?” I’m laughing. “It’s a compliment! When I was little, I wanted to be Superman.”
“You and every other little boy.”