Page 92 of The Suitcase Swap

Sophie sucked in a breath, but didn’t get a chance to respond.

Mike took one of her hands in his. ‘I love you, Sophie Swann.’ He blew out a long, unsteady breath. ‘I think I’ve loved you since the moment you started talking to me at the airport, and I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to figure it out.’ He tugged at her hand, pulling her towards one of the windows. ‘But I thought maybe, if I brought you here, you could understand.’

He took a deep breath and then let it out. ‘The Summit building is the tallest building in Midtown Manhattan, and while the Empire State Building feels like the past, like a bedrock, Summit blends art, technology and architecture into something uniquely wonderful.’ He looked around the room, and there was an expression of wonder on his face. ‘You stand in here, and you see the future. You feel small and gigantic all at once. It’s like staring into infinity.’

He looked down at her. ‘That’s how I feel when I’m with you.’

Sophie’s eyes filled with tears as she threw her arms around him. She didn’t have words, not yet. But she would. She knew she would.

He rested his cheek on the top of her head. ‘I am so, so sorry that I didn’t talk to you when I should have. That I ran. Please give me a chance to make that up to you. I don’t deserve it, but I want it anyway.’

‘Okay,’ Sophie said, staring up at him. ‘But I need you to do one more thing for me first.’

‘When you said “anything”, I’ll admit this option never occurred to me.’ Mike stared down at the dishes Sophie had put in front of him at Xi’an Famous Foods. ‘This seems like a trap. Why would my path to forgiveness be paved with good food?’

‘Because,’ Sophie said, ‘I wanted noodles. Lunch was hours ago. You also promised you’d come back here after you shamed your family name.’ She sighed happily. ‘I’ve been dreaming about these dumplings.’

Mike sighed too, but it was slightly less happy. ‘This is far better than I deserve. Bring it on.’

Thirty minutes later, Sophie was carrying several takeaway boxes and Mike was sweating through his shirt.

‘I think it was especially cruel to film it,’ Mike said. ‘And to send it to my children.’

‘Why?’ Sophie asked. ‘You didn’t throw up this time. Aren’t you proud?’

He fished another ice cube out of a plastic cup and put it into his mouth. ‘I’m feeling a lot of things right now, but pride isn’t one of them.’

Sophie laughed as she slid an arm around his waist.

‘Are you sure you want to do that?’ Mike asked, even though he was already putting his free arm around her. ‘I’m pretty disgusting right now.’

‘Maybe,’ Sophie said. ‘But you’remydisgusting.’

Mike pressed a kiss to her forehead. ‘I cannot feel my lips right now, which is a shame.’

She laughed.

‘Thank you,’ Mike said softly.

‘For what?’

‘For giving me another shot,’ Mike said. ‘For taking a chance on me.’

Sophie squeezed him, and he was momentarily grateful he had clothes back at Tom’s flat. He really was sweaty.

‘That’s what you do for the ones you love,’ Sophie said.

‘And do you love me, Sophie Swann?’ His tone was light, but he meant the question all the same. ‘I almost blacked out from anxiety earlier, but I’m pretty sure I’d remember a declaration of love.’

His tone was playful, but Sophie knew it had been eating away at him, waiting for her response. She was grateful, though, because she felt like she had finally figured out the words she wanted to say. They walked quietly for a moment before she pulled him away from the foot traffic until they were under a large tree jutting out of the pavement. ‘How about this – I love you, Mike Tremblay. I love the way you’re there for me, even if it takes you a second. I love how thoughtful you are and how you talk about your kids. I can think of nothing I want more than to have you by my side for the rest of my life. I’m not sure what that’s going to look like or how that’s going to work, but I’m willing to figure it out.’

Mike took her in his arms and kissed her. What else are you supposed to do when the person you love says something like that?

When he finally pulled back, Sophie was smiling at him. ‘Liked that, did you?’

‘Yes,’ he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her back into the middle of the pavement,manoeuvring her until she was on the inside part away from the road. ‘Not as poetic as mine, but it will do.’

She jabbed him in the side with a finger and laughed.

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