“Oh?”
“Yeah, I think it's good news.”
She was wiping her hands repeatedly. I could tell she was nervous. Her eyes were flitting about the park, trying to find a place to focus. As she set her hands in her lap, I reached out and took one to hold.
I rubbed her knuckles. “Steve is retiring at work.”
“You say that like I remember who Steve is.”
I chuckled. “Well, I didn't expect that. He's been working for the company for the longest time. And when he retires, his position will be open.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, it's . . . it's a domestic position. If I take it, it means I would be traveling domestically instead of internationally.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“My boss offered to put in a good word for me. I think it would be a good way to keep things more local—so I can be closer to you.”
She smiled warmly. “Is that the change you were thinking of making?”
“How did you know I was going to change?”
“Well, I had a feeling.”
I smirked. “You always get those.”
“Yeah, I'm usually right about them.”
“I mean, I'm not complaining.”
“It sounded like you were about to complain.”
I faked a shocked expression. “How dare you assume to know the intent of my heart!”
“See? Dramatic. You're always like this. I can't take you anywhere.”
“Actually, you're wrong about that. It'syouI can't take anywhere. You won't let me.”
She giggled and dropped her head, allowing her curly locks to fall into her face. I pushed a lock behind her ear and she smiled wide.
It made my heart burst. “And I'm joking about that. I know you hate traveling. I would never want to pressure you into doing that.”
“I know. It's why you left all the time.”
“No, I left because I wanted to provide you with a life worth living. Only I think my intent got lost in translation with my actions. I left for work so that I could give you the things you wanted.”
“Your presence means more to me than your money.”
I smiled. “I know you don't care about the material things. That's what always appealed to me about you. I guess it wouldn't have mattered if I was a billionaire or not.”
“No, it wouldn't matter.” She played with my fingers and traced the lines along my knuckles. “But it still makes me nervous, you know?”
“I didn't want to give up my international position until I knew for sure how serious you are about us. I wanted to make sure you were okay with it all first.”
“So, you're asking me?”
I nodded. “Obviously, I don't need your permission. But your opinion would mean the world to me. It would mean giving up the world—in a way.”