“I have a lot to apologize for,” he says, finally looking at me, his eyes intense as he stares into mine. I want to look away, but I can’t. Instead, I find myself leaning forward. He glances at my hand on the console between us, and a small smile comes to his lips when he realizes I’m still wearing the bracelet. “I thought you hated the gifts.”
I chew my bottom lip. “I liked the shark,” I admit. I could pull my hand away and hide it out of embarrassment, but he’s already seen the bracelet on my wrist. It’s not like hiding it will change that fact. “Besides, it’s worth a sizable down payment on a house.”
His eyes turn sad, but this time, he doesn’t avoid my gaze. It’s not like he can run here anyway. We’re trapped in a metal box, and, from the feel of it, getting on the interstate. On a Saturday at lunch. We’ll be stuck here for a while, so we might as well put everything out there.
“I’m not gonna sell it,” I say, quieter this time. “Someone I really care about got it for me.”
He reaches toward me, and, when I don’t pull away, he rests the tips of his fingers on the diamonds. “I know I messed up,” he says. “I just hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me.”
A lump of fear forms in my chest, weighing me to the spot. “I can only agree to that if you agree to talk to me,” I say. “If something happens, you can’t run away. That’s not how adults deal with situations, and it’s not how healthy relationships are formed.”
His brows scrunch, and he nods whilst staring at the bracelet. I move my hand so I can wrap my fingers through his once again, and he squeezes.
Finally, I admit something that I hadn’t been willing to admit to myself before. “I love you, but relationships take work. You know that, right?”
He looks up, eyes widening. “You love me?” he asks.
I frown. “That doesn’t mean I want you to propose again,” I say. “That’s not something either of us is ready for.”
He considers my words, then says, “But you do love me? Really?”
I sigh. “Yes, of course I do. I’ve loved you from the moment—well, not the moment we met, but the moment at the beach. With the shark. I knew from then on that I could trust you, even if itdidturn out you were hiding your super secret mafia identity.”
He lets out a single breathy laugh, then leans forward and kisses me.
I bring my spare hand up to his cheek, relishing in the feeling of his lips on mine once again. This feels right. It’s how things are supposed to be.
Then, panic rolls through me. I pull away and knock on the divider desperately, and Camilla rolls it down, an eyebrow pricked. “Where are we going?” I ask. “I…don’t think I want to leave.” Just saying the words sends my heart skipping through my chest. I glance at James, at our intertwined hands. I’m choosing to stay, choosing James.
Most of all, I’m choosing myself.
Camilla laughs. “We’re not headed to the airport,” she says. “You have a job to get to.”
Am I going back to work at Chéri? I’m not sure if that’s the best idea, and I know I can’t bring myself to go back to the apartment that was broken into.
Still, with a glance at James, I tighten my grip. If I get to be with him for real, I’ll do whatever needs to be done. I trust him, and I need to trust myself. “Alright,” I say warily.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alexis
My mom, Tammy, and Camilla all surround me, picking at my dress and cooing over how gorgeous it is. Even though she quit being James’ assistant to start her own company, Camilla and I still hang out regularly, our friendship nigh unbreakable after she ensured that James and I were able to make things work.
The private cottage on the beach is only a mile from the marine rescue, which has been upgraded significantly since I started working there again. I was worried about James buying it and having to work for my boyfriend, but it turns out that Tyler is the new owner. It’s still a bit of a conflict, but even Henry admitted that I’m good at my job and only lost it due to budget issues. With a billionaire backing it, it’s a lot easier to keep a decent amount of staff.
The photographer takes a few more photos, then leaves the master bedroom of the home James has made for us. Living together from the start was an odd way to start a relationship, but this hidden cottage on the water is our little sanctuary. We can spend time together without the press finding us, and it’s allowed our relationship to fully blossom. Even the marine rescue has heightened security now so that I’m not harassed at work.
“I’m so happy for you,” my mom says, tears welling in her eyes. My sister left a few minutes ago to fulfill some last-minute maid-of-honor duties, although I’m sure the real reason is how many times our mother has started crying.
I hug her, and Camilla manages to put a cloth between Mom’s face and my dress to keep any mascara from hitting it.
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, unable to hide my amusement at her outbursts of emotion. At this rate, we won’t have any pictures where her eyes are dry.
A knock sounds at the door. “Ten minutes,” a male voice says. The guys were getting ready in the guest bedroom, and nerves finally start to hit as I think about James on the other side of the wall. He, Tyler, and my brother will be heading out, and I’ll be close behind.
In ten minutes, I’ll be getting married to James. There have been plenty of growing pains as we’ve gotten used to each other for the past year, and I’m sure there will be more as we navigate our way through marriage.
The warning meant that the guys are heading to the rescue, where the main aquarium hall has been converted into a wedding venue. I saw bits of it throughout my shifts as teams of people prepared, but I’m nervous to see how it looks now that it’s done.