Page 103 of Objection to Love

Em stared at him. “Just like that? I didn’t get to give my explanation.”

“You can tell me later.”

“I took off work… I—I had a whole date planned.”

He stood. “We can do that later.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be this easy.”

Garrett stopped just in front of her, grabbing her hands and pulling her to a stand. “Love doesn’t need to be hard, Em.”

She swallowed. “Love?”

His mouth hitched up on one side. “Yes. Love.”

“Love,” she repeated, a smile pulling at her lips now too.

He brushed the pad of his thumb across her cheek. “I love you, September Miller. And let’s pretend I said it first, okay? For my manhood.”

“You did say it first,” she countered.

“Exactly.” He was pulling her closer, his hands slipping around her waist.

“No, really, you did. I told Noah I loved you, but I didn’t tell you. So, really—”

“Can we shut the lawyer off for a minute?” Garrett laughed.

“I’m not sure I can, actually. But I promise I’m working on it.”

“Good enough for me.” And his mouth covered hers.

Two weeks was too long for Em to have gone without Garrett’s kisses. Without his hands sliding up her back and cupping her face and angling her head in just the right way. Without the shiver of pleasure created when he whispered her name against her lips.

Em would spend the rest of her life making sure she didn’t go a day without this—without Garrett.

“Garrett?” she murmured while his lips trailed down her jaw and made it hard to breathe.

“Mmm?”

“I love you.”

He pulled back, his eyes crinkling on the sides. “But I said it first, remember?”

Epilogue

Garrett

Garrettpulledintohismom’s driveway with a feeling of apprehension. Em squeezed his hand from her spot in the passenger seat. He felt the comfort she meant to convey and smiled at her.

“It’s just my mom’s boyfriend. I shouldn’t be scared of a fifty-plus surgeon.”

“Did you confirm he was over fifty? I mean, just imagine the shock if we walk in, and he’s actually a twenty-five-year-old gold digger?”

A laugh burst from Garrett. “He’s digging in the wrong place if that’s the case. But come to think of it, I don’t think I did learn his age. Oh, jeez… What if my mom’s a cougar?” He turned wide eyes on Em. She hit him on the arm.

“I don’t think we need to worry about that.”

“Think? Nope. I’m out of here. We can try again next week.”

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