Her head cocks. “What’s your plan?”
“We’ll feature Hope at the opening. Then we’ll announce that a new piece of yours will be highlighted each month.”
“Each month?”
I shrug. “Or longer. Two months, three months. If it takes longer, it takes longer. That way, we can get people intrigued and keep them coming back.”
Her eyes search mine. “You would do that for me?”
I scoff. “I’m doing it for me. The marketing potential is limitless.”
She grins, ducking her head back down against my chest.
I rub her scalp with my fingers, brushing a kiss over the top of her head. “In exchange, all I ask is that you let me help Mindy annihilate Ben in court after the criminal charges are exhausted.”
She lifts her head again, resting her chin on my chest. “Have at it. I wouldn’t deprive you of the pleasure.”
My mind goes darkly thoughtful, imagining all the ways I—or, well, my lawyers—can make him pay.
“I have my own revenge planned,” she adds.
I push aside thoughts of legal vengeance to focus on her face. “What’s that?”
Her smile could only be described as mischievous. “I’m going to be happy.”
I lift my brows. “How will you accomplish such a thing?”
She pushes herself up a little, infusing her voice with gravity. “First, I need a man.”
“Really.” Humor pushes at me, but I keep my tone dry.
She tilts her head as if considering all her options. “Preferably a billionaire.”
“Well. There can’t be many of those just lying around.”
She presses her lips together. “He also has to be a ruthless businessman with a soft and gooey center.”
“Hm. That seems to be a growing trait for billionaires.”
“And the dealbreaker is…” She moves closer, her nose brushing mine. “He has to be excellent at cross-stitch.”
I bark out a laugh. “You’ll never find such a paragon. A true unicorn.”
“Oh, he is.” She’s all smug glee.
When our amusement subsides, her eyes go dark and serious.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I love you,” she whispers.
Astonishment rushes through me.
She covers my lips with her fingers. “You don’t have to say it back. I know it’s a new concept for you.” Her smile is wry. “But I want you to know how I feel.”
Emotion clogs my throat. I don’t know how to express what she is to me. She’s where I belong, where I fit.
I brush a strand of hair back behind her ear and cup her cheek in my palm. “You are everything I never knew I could hope for.”
Her face fills with light. “I know.”