Page 85 of Silver Fake

"I'm not saying that it's a bad thing," she says. "I am just surprised you did all this without knowing if I would accept. I know we put together business condiments and create LLCs and corporations for clients all the time at the firm, but it's still a lot of work."

I shrug. "Once I realized I wanted to run this place, I knew I only wanted to if you would be by my side, working with me as my partner. Plus, I knew you hadn't decided what to do since leaving the firm, and you are always so happy here."

She laughs, shaking her head. "Melissa helped you get me here and told you I wasn't sure I wanted to work in law again, didn't she."

"Yeah, and believe me. I was more shocked than you that she agreed. I've spent what little time I've been in the office these last few weeks, mostly trying to avoid her. She is not someone I want to end up on my bad side again."

"That's why she makes a great lawyer," Lisa says. "And she never takes on a losing case."

That makes me perk up. Leaning forward, I reach for her. My chest swells when she does, too, and I take her hand in mine. "Does that mean she was right to help me get you here?"

Her bright and beautiful smile lights up the dingy old office. "I've never run a hotel, so I might not be any good at helping you manage this place, but it's the first thing I've considered doing since leaving the firm that makes butterflies dance in my gut. It's exciting to think of helping your parents keep this place the wonderful getaway they built."

She scoots to the edge of her chair and puts her hand on my face, and I take a deep breath, reveling in even this simple touch from her. "Getting to run this place with you sounds like a dream come true."

"It does for me, too."

"You just have to promise me one thing," she says. Her eyes are intense as they meet mine.

"Anything."

"The next time you get nervous, talk to me. Remember this moment and that I love you more than I've ever imagined was possible. And most importantly, remember that you deserve that love. I'm not going anywhere."

"I promise," I say. "I never want to see that kind of hurt in your eyes again. I'm not saying I won't mess up again, because I'm sure I will. But I promise to talk to you. I love you, and all I want to do is be with you. I hope it's here in Barton Beach.”

"Good," she says with a brilliant smile.

My heart feels like it's doing double time. I knew this plan with a long shot, and here we are, and I've never been happier in my life. I tug her arm and pull her from her chair into my lap.

"We're really doing this?" I say.

She nods, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Yes. We really are."

"Thank god."

I take her face in my hand, pushing my fingers back until they are threading in her hair, and I'm cupping the side of her head. Then I pull her mouth down to meet mine. Just before our lips touch, I pause. "I love you."

We're so close I swear I feel her smile against my lips. "I love you, too."

CHAPTER29

Lisa

There isn'tany way I could have guessed how today would turn out. I didn't expect to even see John when I came to meet Nancy for lunch.

I'll have to thank Melissa for lying to me later. I guess sometimes a lie can be a good thing because I am sure my stubborn ass would have made up an excuse to skip lunch if I had known John was going to be here, and that would have been a huge mistake.

For all my defiance, convincing myself it would be too hard to forgive him, I knew he was forgiven as soon as I laid eyes on him again. All I needed was to look in his eyes, and I knew I couldn't stay mad at him.

Getting to run the hotel together is the answer I'd been looking for with my career decision. This hole I was feeling is solid and filled up almost overflowing, and I can't wait to start our lives together.

But right now, I just want to spend some time with John.

Three weeks apart doesn't seem like a lot, just saying it outlaid, but the moment I saw him, this overwhelming sensation of missing him and finally seeing him again swelled up inside me.

The manager's office is nice enough, but it's not where I want to be right now, even if sitting on John's lap makes my body tingle and overheat all at once. His fingers are threaded in my hair at the base of my neck, and our lips are hovering less than an inch apart.

He shimmies me closer on his lap until my body is pressing tight against his and I can feel his heartbeat pounding just like my own. He grips my hair, bringing my face closer, closing the distance between us, and kisses me.