Page 51 of Nailed

That was a good thing, I reminded myself.

“Well, first, thanks for taking my call.” Not perfect, but okay. I began to pace. Right away, I tripped on my own feet, nearly stumbling. “Um…”

Shit. This was already going terribly.

But my eyes went to my laptop screen on the table, where Jamie stood at the podium. The paused video was grainy, but I could still see his eyes, looking like they were peering right at mine.

You can do this, baby. Breathe.

“Have you ever made a mistake that turned into the best change of plans?”

* * *

Natasha and I spoke for over two hours. My phone bill would be through the roof, but it would be worth every penny.

I’d spoken from the heart, believing in every word I said.

Just like Jamie had shown me I could.

In the end, it felt like I’d been talking to an old friend. Natasha even told me about her divorce, how she’d split up with her ex years ago because he’d wanted kids and she didn’t. “It was amicable, but that ‘mistake’ was the best I ever made. It led me to falling in love with someone new. Someone who happened to work at Empire.”

Natasha, too, had mixed her career with pleasure, and it had worked out for her. It hadn’t for me, but I’d just have to be okay with that.

My laptop dinged. I smiled, knowing it was an offer letter from Natasha. I’d look at it later. Right now, I was going to settle down with a sappy Christmas movie and mug of tea and try not to feel like I was in the right place but missing one important thing.

Outside, it was dark, but the wind was still whipping snow against the window. Thank God Jamie and Sam had left hours ago and were safe at home now. Jamie hadn’t texted, but Sam had, letting me know he’d picked his truck up from my building.

I stared out the kitchen window as I waited for the stovetop kettle to heat up, listening to the sound of fire Jamie built hours ago crackling and popping. I’d kept feeding it logs, feeling like I didn’t want it to die out. Like it was the tiniest piece of Jamie here with me.

But just as the kettle started ticking with heat, I saw headlights outside on the road.

I couldn’t believe someone was driving in this weather. They had to be out of their mind.

Or desperately needing to get somewhere—

I froze mid-thought. I recognized that truck. It was the same one that had pulled into my parking lot only a few days ago, making my stomach spasm with nerves.

It was the same one that had pulled away from this driveway six hours ago while I tried to keep my heart from shattering into pieces.

Heart thundering, I pulled on my boots and sprinted outside, skidding to a stop as Jamie opened the door of his truck.

He hopped out, his hand cupped against his chest, wind whipping at his gorgeous silver hair.

“You came back,” I exclaimed, tears streaming down my face. Given the time he’d been gone, he had to have gotten back to Quince Valley and turned right back around again to get here.

Jamie met me in only a handful of giant strides. He cupped his hand to my cheek. “I couldn’t not come back, Sarah. I love you, and there’s no stopping that.”

“I watched your talk,” I said, sucking in a shuddering breath.

“Did you see that it was all for you?”

I nodded. I hadn’t wanted to believe it, but I knew now, with my whole heart. “I love you, too, Jamie. I want it all. The career, the family, in whatever form we make it. Love.”

Jamie leaned down to kiss me then, and I forgot all about the cold pinpricks of snow still whipping at our cheeks. I had all the warmth I needed between our two hearts.

Jamie pulled away. “Speaking of family…”

He unzipped his coat and reached his hand into his sweater, pulling out a plastic bag. There was a beautiful blue-black betta fish swimming in a swish of mermaid-esque fins in its little constrained bubble.

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