“Doing what?” I ask in confusion.
“Why are you still here? I mean… you stayed for both shows,” she says softly. “And you want to take me out to dinner?”
I nod.
“Even after I sent you away?”
“I told you, baby girl. I’m not going anywhere.”
“But… you have a life to get back to,” she reminds me, scrambling for an excuse.
I give her a rueful smile, not having any of that shit. “Youare my life, Pia.”
She shakes her head, looking over to Penny. I can’t stay away any longer, and I reach out to touch her arm. Pia shivers, leaning closer. I take that as a good sign.
“I’m the boss. I can do whatever I want,” I tell her easily. “For example, I can rework my entire schedule for the next year so that I don’t have to go into the office.”
“Why would you do that?” she gasps, her eyes guarded. Still, I can see a spark of hope in their depths. I can work with that.
“Well, I’ll be a little far away,” I answer. “See, I bought tickets for every single circus show for the rest of the year.”
Her mouth drops open and tears start to shimmer in her eyes as she stares at me.
“What?” she whispers.
I take a step closer, tugging on her arm until she’s pressed against me.
“I’m yours, little girl, and you’re mine.” I cradle her precious face in my hands, needing her to hear me, to really listen to my words. “I’ll follow you around for as long as it takes for you to understand my devotion to you. I’d follow you to the ends of the earth, princess. If you need more time, then that’s fine. I’ll wait for you, but I’m going to prove to you that this is real. That we’re meant to be.”
“I don’t need more time,” she says through her sniffles. I wipe her tears away with my thumbs, pressing my lips to her forehead.
“What are you telling me?” I whisper.
“I know it, too.”
“What do you know? Say it,” I demand, my heart roaring in my ears. “Tell me, sweet girl.”
“I’m meant to be yours, and you’re meant to be mine,” she chokes out.
I wrap her up in my arms, engulfing my precious girl in my embrace. She cries into my chest, and I bundle her up even tighter against me.
“I never thought I would have anyone,” she says into my shirt.
“I know, baby girl, but you do.”
She nods, and I hold her tighter as she struggles to get her tears to stop. When she finally looks up at me, I smile.
“I love you, Pia,” I tell her.
“I know. I love you too, Gavin.”
I tilt her face up, and my lips are almost on hers when Penny neighs, nudging Pia with her head. We both laugh, and I reach up, stroking Penny’s neck.
“I know. You want your treat,” Pia says to her.
I grin. “I’ll let you take care of Penny. I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”
She nods, and then a devilish smile takes over her face.