Page 142 of Icebound Hearts

Michelle taps her fingers together, looking down at her desk as she appears to think something over. Then she shakes her head and looks up.

“I’m not going to give you back your job here,” she says.

My stomach flips over, an indecipherable combination of emotions rushing through me as disappointment mixes with relief. But Sawyer looks stricken.

“That’s okay.” I nod quickly. “I underst?—”

“However,” Michelle continues, holding up a hand to stop me, “I think that I still may have a position for you.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

She laughs, shaking her head ruefully. “Imean, your boss is an old softie, and you two are giving my jaded heart a much-needed boost.” Her tone shifts, becoming more business-like as she leans forward a little, steepling her fingers. “I’ve been toying with the idea of expanding the company for the last several months, and Denver is one of the areas I’ve been considering. I didn’t even think of it when you told me you needed to quit earlier, but this could be a great opportunity. If Creative Reach were to open a satellite office in Denver, how would you feel about being a part of that team?”

I gape at her, hope blooming in my chest. “Are you serious?”

She leans back, lifting a brow. “As serious as that man of yours seems to be. So what do you say? Would you be interested?”

“Yes!” The word comes out so fast it’s almost unintelligible, so I repeat it, just in case. “Yes. Definitely!”

“Good.” She nods, looking satisfied. “I can’t promise it will happen, but I’ve already got a lot of the groundwork laid for an expansion, so I’d say the odds are very good.”

“That’s… that’s great,” I say, my voice trembling. I almost can’t believe this is real. I must be dreaming.

I’m tempted to pinch myself to make sure I’m really awake, but then Sawyer’s hand slips into mine, warm and solid and very real. He gives my fingers a squeeze, and I look over to see him beaming at me.

“Well, then.” Michelle raps her knuckles lightly on her desk. “I’ll need to make some calls to work out more of the details and really get the ball rolling, but I can touch base with you in a few days when I have more information. How does that sound?”

“It sounds perfect.” I nod fervently. “Thank you so much.”

“I should be thankingyou.” She smiles, glancing at Sawyer. “And you. This expansion has been a long time coming, and this is just the fire I needed under my ass to make it happen.”

We talk for another minute or two, and after promising to wait by the phone for word from Michelle once she’s made a definitive call about the satellite office, Sawyer and I say goodbye and leave. I feel dazed as we walk through the large open-floor-plan office space, barely focusing on where we’re going.

I can’t believe it. This is really happening.

Sawyer rests a hand on my lower back as we step out of the Creative Reach offices into the bright LA sunshine. And as soon as we’re outside, he turns to me, sweeping me up in his arms and whirling me around. I yelp in surprise, laughing as I cling to him.

When he finally sets me down, he keeps his arms banded around me, his gray eyes glinting with happiness as our gazes meet.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For believing in me. For doing that for me.”

“I’ll always believe in you, heartbreaker.” He rests his forehead against mine. “But that in there? That was all you. She wouldn’t have done any of that if she didn’t recognize what an asset you are to Creative Reach. I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I bite my lip as he leans back, my heart swelling at his praise. With my heart pounding hard against my ribs, I ask, “And… are you really okay with me moving to Denver to be with you?”

“Are you kidding? Of course I am!” His grin is brighter than all of the sunshine around us, and my stomach comes alive with flutters.

“Holy shit. Are we really doing this?”

“Hell, yes.” Conviction echoes in his voice as he pulls me in for one of the deepest kisses he’s ever given me, then sets me back down on my feet. I stay on my tiptoes, keeping my arms on his shoulders and my hands linked behind his head.

“So does this mean I’m officially your girlfriend now?” I ask, and he kisses me again.

“Damn straight, heartbreaker.”

I smile against his lips. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me too.” Sawyer grins down at me. “It’ll do for now, anyway.”