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“Something I should have done a long time ago. Kiera?” I hold out my hand, helping her over Chris’s prone form.
As soon as I pull her against me, Amber’s brother limps to his feet and dashes away, giving me a dirty look, which I ignore. For the moment, I have everything I could ever want in my arms.
“What is going on?” She’s guarded, almost angry.
“You don’t belong with him.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “And exactly who do I belong with in your mind?”
“Me.” I grab her shoulders. “You belong with me, sweetheart. No one else.”
She blinks like she’s having trouble comprehending my words—or believing them. “What?”
I approach her and grab her hand, pulling her out of the vehicle. “Kiera, I know you probably don’t feel the same way, but I couldn’t let you leave with him… I can’t walk away without saying I love you. You’ve been driving me crazy ever since you emailed me that insane proposition, and I never want to let you go again.”
She stands gaping and wide-eyed. “Repeat that.”
I’m more than happy to, sweetheart. “I have been in agony over you for weeks. I was afraid of how I felt. I’m sorry for pushing you away. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you sooner. Hell, I wasn’t honest with myself. I never slept with that woman at the bar. I couldn’t. All I could think about was you, and that scared me. I know this may be too little, too late, but I couldn’t let you leave with Chris without telling you the truth. I’m not good at expressing my feelings, but what I am good at is proving that I mean what I say. Give me a chance to show you how much I want and need you. You’re my everything. I love you.”
“Jonathan.” Her voice trembles as her face softens. Tears pool, then fall down her cheeks. “Oh, my god. I love you, too. So much. I have for weeks. I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want to break our agreement. I wasn’t going to leave with Chris. Right before you came, I told him I’d changed my mind.”
Thank fuck. Lifting her into my arms, I crash my lips onto hers. I drink in the touch of her skin on mine as if she’s water soothing me after a long drought. I may lose the deal with Maya, and I’ll have to make it up to Jake and every other employee at KH Industries, but there are more important things in life. For me, that’s Kiera.
When we finally come up for air, I smile into her beautiful face. “So…I have a question. Well, I need a favor.”
“Anything.” She smiles like she’s supremely happy.
I love knowing I put that expression on her face and that I’m going to do everything possible to make her happy for the rest of our days.
“Can you teach me how to be in a relationship?” I tease. “I’ve done a really horrible job at it in the past, and now I’m determined to get it right.”
She tosses back her head, her laugh a sparkling siren call. “As the sexiest man I know once said to me, ‘I’ll do it.’”
Epilogue
Friday, September 2
Kiera
I’ve spent a sublimely blissful summer with Jonathan. Apart from work, we’ve been inseparable. Despite him walking away from the deal with Maya at Amber’s wedding, she decided to sign with us, and the collaboration between her company and KH Industries is official as of today. But even with the heavy workload during negotiations, Jonathan and I always found time for each other. Everything seems to be falling perfectly into place. I couldn’t be happier.
Jake and Jonathan are so excited, they’re throwing a party at Ian’s bar tonight for all the staff involved in the project. This has been a long time coming. I’m so proud of everyone who worked so hard, but especially Jonathan.
Today, Mia invited me to leave work early and help with decorations for tonight’s festivities. When I arrive, Jonathan’s sister is standing at the top of a ladder, trying to hang a banner that says CONGRATULATIONS!
I drop my purse on the nearest table and rush to hold the ladder in place.
“Hey, doll. Don’t worry. I got it,” she assures.
Jonathan’s siblings have welcomed me with open arms after we announced that we were in a relationship. Mia laughed since she suspected the whole time. Then she apologized for accosting me in the parking lot outside the office. Over the summer, she’s become one of my closest friends, and she joins Kami and me for shenanigans all the time. She seems to be enjoying the girl time. I think she also does it because spending so much of her free time with us irritates Jake.
Jonathan doesn’t seem to want to talk about them, but I think his best friend and business partner is more than a little sweet on his little sister.
“There.” Mia finishes sticking the banner to the wall. “That ought to hold.”
After I help her down the ladder, she hops to the floor and gives me a big hug. “I’m glad you’re here. I swear, the struggle of being short is real.”
I gesture to myself. “Um, I’m not sure how much help I’ll be since I’m short, too.”
