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“I’m an idiot.”
“No, you’re not.” She shook her head. “Nobody calls my man an idiot.”
“Is that what I am?” he asked her.
“Always.”
He exhaled heavily, leaning forward to brush his lips against hers. “That’s good. Because I’ve come to take you home.”
“I think I just got fired.” Cassie grinned at him as he tiptoed out of the hotel bedroom. Delilah was fast asleep.
“Did Bryan call?”
“No, his assistant did. She wanted to know if I’d be back tomorrow because we have an interview with a magazine.”
“What did you tell them?”
“That I’d be in Hartson’s Creek by then. With the people I love.”
“That sounds more like you quit than got fired,” he said softly. He walked toward her, pulling her close. Damn, he’d missed this. The softness, the talking, the being with her.
It had only been a week, but it felt like a lifetime.
They’d spent the rest of the day taking Delilah around New York. They’d gone up the Empire State Building, visited the zoo at Central Park, and then they’d gone to a diner where Delilah had gotten the biggest burger she’d ever seen.
By seven she was exhausted. So they’d put her in the bath of the suite that Presley had paid for – mostly because it had two bedrooms – and then he’d let her watch some TV in bed before she finally fell asleep.
And now it was just the two of them. “Want me to order some room service?” he asked.
“That sounds good. I’d love a burger. I’ve been jonesing for one ever since Delilah scarfed hers in the diner.” She grinned.
“I’d take you out if I could but…” he glanced over at the door to Delilah’s bedroom.
“You don’t get it, do you?” She smiled at him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I like room service. I like staying at home and watching television with you. I like putting Delilah to bed and knowing she’s safe while we get to spend some time together. I don’t need you to take me out to know you love me. I fell in love with the package deal.”
He swallowed. He still couldn’t believe he was here. Nor could anybody else. His phone had been ringing most of the afternoon after he’d let Marley know where he was.
His mom, who’d pretty much sobbed when she called. His dad who’d given him a gruff verbal slap on the back for going to win the girl.
His clients who wanted to know when he’d be back to finish up the work and meet the deadline.
And finally Alex, who’d blown up at Pres for going to New York and possibly ruining Cassie’s chances. She’d stolen the phone from him as Alex lambasted him, and carefully told him that she’d decided to invoke the break clause of the contract.
Which meant as her self-appointed manager, Alex wasn’t going to get the nice bonus he’d been offered.
As Delilah had run ahead of them in Central Park, they’d taken a few stolen moments to talk. He’d filled her in about his four am decision, and his drive to New York. And she’d held him tightly, as though she was afraid he’d disappear if she let go.
They’d planned to stay for another day in New York, but Delilah had been firm that she wanted to go home. She wanted to see her grandparents, her school friends. And Pres, suspected, most of all she wanted to make sure Cassie came back to Hartson’s Creek.
Not that Cassie was upset about that. She agreed with Delilah, it was time to go home. And he was so damn excited about that. Every time the guilt threatened to rise he pushed it firmly back down.
She wanted to come home. She’d made that clear.
And he wanted nothing more than to be the one to drive her there. He’d made her leave and he’d be the one bringing her back. There was a symmetry to it that felt right.
He rang down to room service, ordering them both a burger. When he turned around, Cassie was curled up on the sofa, hugging her legs to her chest. She’d changed into a pair of yoga pants and a sweater that fell over her shoulder. He’d never seen her looking more beautiful.
“Are you sure?” he said, his voice thick.
