Page 91 of Just One Chance

I got the first flight that I could to Miami before I realized that I didn't have her address. I researched Kennedy's friend, Jodi, and reached out to her on social media, asking for her help.

She told me she’d let me know when Kennedy was on her way home, and gave me her address so I could meet her there.

I needed to tell her how I felt. As soon as I decided to go to her, it felt like I couldn't hold it inside any longer.

I checked into a hotel and practiced my speech. I didn't bother to change into shorts or a T-shirt. I was a flannel and jeans kind of guy. If she didn't like that, then she didn't want me.

But I'd have to get used to the weather if I was going to be with Kennedy. She was a Miami girl through and through.

I went to the address that Jodi texted me.

As I waited by her door, I braced myself for the idea that she might have already moved on.

But Jodi had been willing to help me. Did she know something I didn't?

A few minutes later, Kennedy walked out of the elevator looking achingly beautiful in a short white dress and silver heels. When she turned to walk toward me, my heart skipped a beat, and she paused. "Boone."

"I was hoping we could talk."

She resumed walking, her keys in her hand. Her expression was carefully blank, and she said, "Okay."

I waited for her to unlock the door and stepped inside her condo. The kitchen was to the left of the door, and the windows covered the walls in front of me. "The view is stunning."

"I love it," she said easily as she locked the door behind us.

I walked deeper into the living room when she didn't move. I didn't want to be so close to the door. It was too easy to open it and tell me to get out. I paused in front of the large windows and turned to face her. "I wanted to tell you how I felt the night you left. I should have done it sooner. And that's on me."

A crease appeared on her forehead. "I was looking forward to spending time with you that night too. But then, I got the email from Barrett, and I thought the job would be a good opportunity. I had some great ideas for the rooftop, but Barrett just wanted to pay me to work full-time for Westbourne Hotels. I had a feeling he wanted me to stop consulting with other hotels.”

I stepped toward her. "You hated New York."

She looked away. "I usually stop at home between jobs so that I can reset. But I went straight from Denver to New York. It was a shock."

"You hated the noise, the people, how crowded it got." I'd never been there myself, but I could imagine. "You missed the mountains. The trees. The wildlife."

She moved her gaze to mine, and her expression was pained. "I missed you."

I sucked in a breath. "I know we said that our relationship would only last while you were in town, but at some point, I fell in love with you. And I can't see a future without you in it."

She opened her mouth to speak, and I raised my hand to stop her. "I know your life is here, and I want you to know that I'm ready to move with you. I can work from anywhere, or at least I'll figure something out. All that matters is that I'm with you."

"You'd move to Miami to be with me?" she asked incredulously.

"I'd go wherever you are." I ached to touch her, but I held myself back.

"You'd live in this small, one-bedroom apartment without access to a workshop?"

"I'd have to figure that part out. I still want to build furniture, so if I have to rent a space, then I will."

She stepped closer so that we were only a few inches apart now. "You'd be willing to do all of that for me? You'd leave your family, your business, and the house you wanted to build?"

"I'm in love with you. There is no future without you in it. I just don't know how you feel." This was the moment I'd been waiting for. She could tell me that it was a fling and she felt nothing, or she could tell me that she was in love with me too.

She set her palm on my chest right above my racing heart. "I love you, Boone. I thought you'd never say those words to me. Even if you felt them, I worried that you'd bury them down deep or decide that a future together wasn't possible. I didn't see a way out."

"As long as we're together, we can figure everything else out."

She sighed, and I took that as my answer, cupping her cheek, and kissing her,