Page 102 of Manhattan Bossholes

“Piper, you’re killing me,” he sighed as he dropped onto the couch. “Please tell me what you’re thinking.”

I sat on the far end of the couch and crossed my legs. Why was I so shaky?

“I’m so touched by what you did today,” I began. “I know how private you are, and that it takes a lot for you to open up that way. It was beautiful. Thank you.”

Any happiness in his expression was draining away as I spoke. “Why do I hear a ‘but’ in your voice?”

“But,” I inclined my head toward him, “You have to know that you really, really hurt me. And you publicly humiliated me, as well.”

He started to interrupt me, but I shook my head to stop him.

“I know that part wasn’t on purpose. But it happened, and it was awful. I felt broken because I trusted you, Vincent.”

He looked downright wounded now, like I was hitting him with body blows, and he was just waiting for the knockout punch that would end it all.

“But what you said today…” My eyes welled up. “It touched me, Vincent. I needed to hear that from you. Granted, it didn’t have to be in front of the world, but you always go big.”

His pained expression broke into a half smile.

“It told me everything I needed to hear. And now I think it’s finally time for me to be just as open and honest with you.” I took a deep breath, because I was about to jump into the abyss.

“I love you too, Vincent Forde.”

His reaction was immediate. He closed his eyes, dropped his head, and let out the longest sigh I’d ever heard.

“Oh, thank fucking god. You nearly killed me, Piper.”

I slid closer to him, placing my hand on his knee. “I’m sorry, I just needed to get everything out first. Being honest is important if we want to do this right. We have a pretty shaky foundation, you know.”

“We have a ridiculous foundation, but the feelings are real. And they always have been. It just took me too goddamned long to admit it.”

We stared at one another in silence as the realization of what we’d just admitted took hold. It was love, real love, that had brought us here. What happened next was a gigantic adventure I couldn’t quite wrap my head around.

I held my wrist out to him. “This is Perpetual. Like us.”

He clasped it gently and raised it to his nose, his eyes locked on mine as he breathed in my skin.

“It’s perfect,” he said as he closed his eyes and inhaled again. “Like you.”

“Is that a fact? Why don’t you tell me about it?” I murmured.

His lips danced inches from the delicate skin of my wrist, and just the warmth of his breath was enough to make me feel fluttery.

“The top lilac notes are playful,” he said, gently touching his nose against me. “But not too sweet. There’s some light and bright citrus beneath it all with a tang that balances the competing elements. But this is a complex fragrance, with layers.” He locked his eyes on mine. “Just like the woman who inspired it.”

The intensity in his voice sent goosebumps up my arms. “Go on.”

Vincent inhaled again. “Did you notice the subtle nod to coconut?”

I smiled at him. “Of course I did. There’s some Hawaii in that bottle.”

“There is indeed. It’s heady and warm, but then right after that note you should get…”

He paused and waited for me to fill in the blank.

“Heliotrope,” I answered.

“Exactly,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss in the crook of my elbow that made my body hum with excitement. “The scent that started everything. With that, you get a haze of vanilla and almond that are a tribute to the work we did together.”