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“It’s not like that,” Kendra told him sternly. “We’re in love.”
“Be in love somewhere else. Cafeteria’s open.”
They were still laughing about it when they found an empty nook under a stairwell. Kendra settled herself onto Jason’s lap with a sigh. It felt so good to be with him. She could do anything in the world, go anywhere, and he’d be there for her.
She’d do the same for him.
“Have you talked to Holly yet?”
“No, haven’t had a chance, but we’ve been texting. I know what’s going on. They’re interviewing Chloe’s boyfriend right now, but we haven’t heard any more. Holly said you really came through for her tonight. Thank you, my love.”
“Just like you really came through for my dad. Isn’t it kind of funny how it happened again?”
“What did?” He nestled her into a more comfortable position, her head tucked against his shoulder.
“First, you tried to help me get a job and I tried to help you get a job, all on the same night. This time, I helped Holly and you helped Alvin. All on the same night.” He said the last sentence along with her. “It’s just funny, that’s all.”
“I think it’s beautiful. We put ourselves on the line for each other.”
“And we’re hot for each other,” she added.
“So hot.”
They lost themselves in more kissing at that point. Kendra couldn’t imagine anywhere she’d rather be than under this hospital stairwell with Jason. Who needed the lap of luxury when you had the lap of Jason?
Although…she still intended to book a room at the Dorchester someday. On her own dime.
“So what are these other plans?” Jason asked her after some time had passed. “And what happened to London?”
“I don’t want to sell my business to a big firm. The deep pockets are nice, but I like to be in charge. At least when it comes to business.” She winked at him. “Besides, in the Uber—the second one—I called Colin Atwood, the exec I would have been meeting with. He was going to completely change the concept to benefit the plastics industry. He also let slip the price he was offering, and it’s a lot less than what Dominic wanted me to pay. In other words, Dom’s desperate and I can probably buy him out for a fraction of what Explastica’s worth. I’m going to get my company back.”
Jason grinned at her happily, but didn’t seem to quite get it.
“It’s going to be here,” she explained. “Well, in Lake Bittersweet.”
Finally, the wonder in his expression told her the news was sinking in. “You’re going to stay?”
“It has to be headquartered somewhere, right?”
He snatched her up in a fierce hug. “God, I love you.”
“I’ll probably have to travel a lot.” Those words were crushed against his chest.
“I can live with that.” He drew back, his eyes sparkling down at her. “I’ll love watching you take on the world. But won’t you feel like you’re missing out on something by staying here?”
“Everything’s a choice. Sure, I’ll probably miss out on something. But I’m choosing another path. I choose this one, here, with you. And my family,” she added. “Especially now.”
He tightened his arms around her. “I choose you, too, Kendra Carter. My heart chose you, and it’s never wrong.”
“Are you sure? I’m a pain in the ass sometimes. I’m stubborn, I like to get my own way, I don’t like to watch my words, I—”
“You’re perfect.”
When she started to object, he put a finger to her lips. “To me, you’re perfect. Argue all you want, I’m not going to change my mind. I can be stubborn too. I wasn’t giving up on you, you know. Holly lectured me about that, but she didn’t have to. I hoped I’d win you over eventually. It might take me a while to get where I want, but don’t count me out.”
Someone walked past the stairwell, heels clicking on the tile floor. She waited until they’d passed by.
“I never did. I believe in you, Jason. Ever since that pool cue, and probably before.” She touched her finger to that scar on his upper lip. “And now I love you. Maybe I caught you on the rebound, but the important thing is, I caught you.”
