Page 79 of Crazy in Love

Faith was rarely speechless, but suddenly, breathing was a challenge. Talking, out of the question. The air wouldn’t go where it was supposed to, and she felt lightheaded. The way he stared at her made his meaning clear. Her.Shewas the one he was declaring love for.

“Me?” she whispered, just to make sure. “Do you mean me?”

“Yes, Faith.” He smiled. “You. I love you.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I guess I should start with an apology. I meant to. Sorry, I got ahead of myself.” He shook his head and cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry about how things went down with Gary. I didn’t have a choice about tracking him down, but I shouldn’t have used you to lure him out. And then, once we decided that was the plan, I should have told you. There were a lot of ways I could’ve handled that better.”

She smiled. “I know you were just doing your job. And I forgive you. So…back to what you were saying…”

He laughed. “I’ve been miserable without you. Life is so dull when you’re not around. It took me a minute, but I finally realized I’m in love with you. I’m here to ask for a second chance.”

Her heart rate picked up. “Oh, Nick. I’ve missed you so much. I know we said what we had was temporary, but we should rethink that whole arrangement.” She squeezed his hands. “Oh, and I love you too.”

He leaned across the table and kissed her, then pulled her to standing, put his arms around her, and kissed her again. The coffee shop patrons erupted in claps and cheers.

“Let’s get out of here,” he mumbled against her lips. “Wanna take a walk?”

“Only if it’s back to my place to seal the deal on this,” she said with a wink.

“I definitely want a rain check on that. But first, I have something to show you.”

She grabbed her purse and floated out after him. Cloud nine was too low a cloud to describe her feelings. Her whole body glowed warm. Nick had come back for her. It was a miracle.

He slipped his hand in hers, and they started off down the sidewalk.

“In the interest of honesty and full disclosure, I need to tell you something,” he said. “I’ve got some news about your dad.”

“He’s been hanging out with Mrs. Hickman. I know. He thinks it’s a big secret, but everyone knows.”

“I mean yourotherdad.”

Faith’s eyebrows perked up. “Oh, okay. What about him?”

“I found out yesterday they flipped him. He agreed to testify against many of the higher-ups in the organization. Murderers included. He’ll be very useful.”

“That’s nice. I guess.”

“Anyway, the reason I bring it up is that because of that, he’ll have to go into witness protection. Once he’s in, you won’t be able to contact him. Like, ever.”

“Oh. I see.” Faith had written off any relationship with him, so the news shouldn’t upset her. And really, it didn’t. But there was something so final about it. If she didn’t talk to him, she wouldnever find out the story of him and her mom. She wouldn’t be able to ask about relatives on that side of the family. And, just thinking pragmatically, she’d never get a complete health history.

“If you want to see him before he gets his new identity, I can set it up. But it would have to be soon.”

She thought for a minute. Besides blood, she had no connection to this man. Maybe he was technically her father, but Eddie was her dad. And right now, that’s all she needed. “Nope. I’m good.”

He stared into her eyes, probably doing that thing where he deduced whether someone was lying with only a look. Whatever he saw seemed to satisfy him. “Okay then. Just wanted to put it out there. Now we can get back to us.”

They resumed walking, and all of a sudden, real-world issues started to poke holes in her euphoria. He’d returned and declared his love, but what did that look like to him? Might as well find out now.

“So, what does ‘us’ mean to you?” she asked. “Are you still going to live in Boston? Are you proposing a long-distance relationship?”

“No. I want to move back here to be with you. Tell me that wouldn’t be a huge mistake.”

“That wouldn’t be a huge mistake,” she repeated without hesitation.

“Thank goodness you’re on board.” He chuckled. “Because I already transferred to a cybercrimes unit. I can work from anywhere there’s an internet connection. I’ve agreed to stay on at the bureau for now, but have another iron in the fire that might pan out soon.”

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