I gulp, eyeing the floor. I didn’t shower after I packed everything.
“Why are you here?” I ask him.
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
He walks in, sizing up the boxes. “I’m sorry for exposing us to your boss. I wasn’t—”
“You didn’t know it was him.” I lean against a stack of boxes. “Someone from work had seen us together in San Francisco earlier too. He was looking for a way to throw me out anyway. I chatted with some of the girls there, and apparently, I was getting too senior in the company—he wanted to hire someone younger and cheaper.”
“He’s an idiot. You’re brilliant.”
“Ah, now we’re talking.” Grinning, I wink at him. “Keep the compliments coming. I wasn’t joking when I said I really need them.” God, having him here makes everything brighter, better. He fills the space with his smile and twinkling eyes. Realization hits me hard, wiping my breath away. Right here in this moment, I realize I’ve never wanted anything more than this: him. It’s not just that I want it. I need him.
“What’s with all the boxes?”
“I’m moving to a cheaper neighborhood until I find a job.” My words come out robotic, as if someone else utters them.
“Impressive. You managed to arrange all this in two days,” he says. Peeling his eyes away from the boxes, he fixes them on me, unleashing the full power of his gaze. My knees weaken.
“Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
“Dirk took my phone. It was the company’s.”
His face falls. “I didn’t think of that.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I got a new one, but didn’t have the courage to call or write.”
“Come here, you silly girl.” He pulls me into a hug, and I lose myself in his arms. God, this is so much better than Ben and Jerry’s and making lists and plans. For the first time in days, I feel safe, and oddly—empowered. “You have nothing to feel sorry for. You should’ve told me.”
“I was so busy with everything. Packing, finding a rat hole to move into. You didn’t e-mail me, so I thought you wanted to end everything. I’m so tired.”
“Shh.” He picks me up in his arms, and then sits on the couch, keeping me in his lap. His arms are tight around me. “I’m here for you, Ava. You run into trouble, you let me know.”
“I’m used to doing things on my own. I went on autopilot, into problem-solving mode.”
“Well, I know you don’t need someone to save you. That’s partly why I love you so much. You’re fierce and strong.” He caresses my cheek, filling me with warmth. “I’ll never let you go.” Tilting my chin up, he feathers his lips on mine, and then claims my mouth with a deep kiss, full of longing and tenderness. This man. . . God, he’s so perfect. I want to kiss the living daylights out of him for the rest of the day. Sadly, we must also breathe. Gasping for air, we pull apart. “I was going to ask you to stay with me in San Francisco during the trip.”
“You were?” I ask in amazement.
“Yeah. I love you.”
I fist his shirt. “I love you, too. So much. ”
“I was still rounding up arguments to convince you to leave your job, but Dirk the Dick made it that much easier.”
I grin against his lips. “Dirk the Dick? You’re a fast learner.”
“Always. I have a proposition for you.” He cups my face, making me look at him.
“Sounds dangerous.”
“It’ll be irresistible. We’ve established already I’m the irresistible brother.”
“Of course you are. Let’s hear that proposition.” I’m curious.
“As you know, the marketing manager ditched us.” His tone is serious and businesslike, which cracks me up right now. “Luckily, we had that very efficient and talented consultant working for us, or the launch would’ve gone to the dogs. Now she’s gone, and the manager position is still free.”