Page 152 of Deep Tide

“You okay?”

She looked at him. “Yeah. Why?”

His look was serious as he brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. “I know you’ve been going through a lot. I’m sorry I haven’t been here to help you.”

She reached up and ran her fingertip over his jaw.

“What is it? I can tell something’s wrong,” he said.

“Not wrong. I’m just worried.”

“Why?”

She took a deep breath and thought of the fear that had been lurking in her heart for weeks, ever since she’d started gaming out all the possible ways they could be together, including uprooting her business and moving to the other side of the country.

“Leyla, tell me.”

She let out a sigh. “What if you move all the way here and you don’t like the job? Or the people?”

He gazed down at her.

“It could happen,” she said.

“Then I’ll make the best of it.” He brushed the backs of his fingers over her cheek.

“It’s a big risk,” she pointed out.

“I’m good with it. As long as you are.” He held her gaze. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I love you. I’m sure about that. The rest is just logistics.”

He smiled, and she felt it deep in the pit of her stomach.

“You don’t look surprised,” she said.

“I’m not.” He wrapped his arms around her and pressed her head against his chest. “I think I knew that already. That’s why I was so stunned that you dumped me in a text message.”

She pulled back. “I’m not sorry.”

“No?”

“Not if it got you down here.”

He smiled at her in the dimness. He hadn’t said it back. But she wasn’t going to freak out. She could be patient. Patience had never been one of her strengths, but she could learn.

“I love you, Leyla.”

A smile spread across her face. He’d somehow read her mind again, and she pulled his head down to kiss him. It was sweet and perfect, and she felt that warm, bone-deep rightness that she’d never felt with anyone else.

She eased back. “It’s late,” she whispered. “I have to be up in two hours.”

“I know.” He tugged her toward the door. “Let’s go back to bed.”