Page 169 of Liar's Point

She looked out at the water, and he studied her profile. He wished now that he’d come to her sooner so he could have messaged this better.

“I know it’s a lot,” he said. “It’s not always going to be this way. But for now, we’ve got to find a way to make our relationship work. Do you want us to have to drop what we have together?”

“No. Of course not. But this feels too drastic, Emmet. You love your job.”

“No. I like my job. I love you.”

***

She looked up at him, stunned.

Not that he loved her. She’d sensed that for a while now. But that he was prepared to say it. And not just say it, act on it. Rearrange his life around it. This was happening so fast. For years they’d been friends and then everything suddenly turned upside down.

He leaned forward, his eyes locked on hers, gauging her reaction.

“I love you, too,” she said.

Relief washed over his face. “Good. I was starting to worry there.”

“No, you weren’t.” She poked him with her elbow. “You know damn well how I feel about you.”

“I’ve been hoping. You never said it.”

She leaned over and kissed him. But then she pulled back.

She looked out toward the water’s edge, where a couple of kids were digging in the sand. A fisherman stood in the surf, and sunlight glimmered off the waves as a pelican swooped down.

Nicole’s pulse was racing, and not just from her run. Emotions swirled inside her.

No man, with the exception of her father, had ever sacrificed anything important for her. And she’d never wanted to feel that kind of heavy obligation to anyone.

Emmet bumped his shoulder against hers. “What’s that look?”

“Honestly?” She turned to him. “I’m scared, Emmet. You’re talking about sacrificing your job for me. What if you resent me later?”

“That’s what I’m telling you. I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a change, yeah, and that’s stressful, but this is positive for us.” He took her hand again. “I want this to work between us.”

She gazed up at him, and the intense look in his eyes made her heart squeeze. No one had ever looked at her like he did.

Or laughed with her, or argued with her, or touched her like he did. She had never shared this level of intimacy with anybody, and it frightened the hell out of her.

He leaned closer. “Don’t be scared.”

Of course he knew what she was thinking.

“But I am scared. What if we don’t work out?”

He smiled. “Damn. And I thought I was the pessimist. What if we do work out? What if we get married and have kids together and grow old together, and we come right back to this beach like those people over there and feed the birds at sunset?”

She stared at him in shock.

“You should see your face right now.” He grinned and pulled her against him. “All right, maybe I’m rushing you.”

“This is all so much. I’m freaking out, Emmet.”

“Hey. Don’t.” He kissed the top of her head. “It’s just me.”

“I love you. I only wish the rest of it wasn’t so complicated.”

---