Page 93 of Give Me a Reason

“Yes, you can.” Pete slapped him on the back.

“Because I’m in love with Anne,” he said with wonder. His heart had known all along. It had just been waiting for his mind to admit it.

He thought telling Anne how he felt meant putting his peace and well-being on the line. But he would neverbe well, hiding from his love. He would never be at peace if he didn’t do everything in his power to win her back. Not telling her how he felt—never finding out how she felt—would destroy him more cruelly than a broken heart.

Frederick loved Anne and always would. He would never be whole without her. What if she felt the same way? What if her heart had been lying in wait for a chance to beat for him again?

But fear snaked inside his head. What if she’d put those precious feelings to rest? What if he was too late?

There was only one way to find out. He’d blamed Anne for not fighting for their love ten years ago. He would be a hypocrite not to fight for her now.

“You think?” Pete rolled his eyes affectionately. “It took you long enough. Now go tell Anne.”

“What?” Frederick shrank back like Pete had developed a pungent odor. “Now?”

“Yes, now.” Joe huffed. “What are you waiting for?”

“I… I don’t know.” Frederick pushed off the bed and paced in a tight circle. “I can’t just show up at her condo.”

“He has a point.” Pete pinched his chin between his fingers. “We got carried away in the excitement of the moment.”

“That’s understandable. This is exciting stuff.” Joe rubbed his hands together. “Okay. Let’s help him come up with a strategy.”

Frederick stopped pacing to glance between his friends. “A strategy?”

They shushed him in unison and did their best impersonations ofThe Thinker.

“I got it.” Pete’s face spread into an anime grin. “What he needs is agrand gesture.”

“How grand are we talking?” Joe gave the battalion chief a narrow, considering gaze.

“Grand.” Pete held his arms out wide. “The man waited ten years to do this. He can wait two more weeks to win her back properly.”

“Two more weeks?” Frederick squawked.

“Oh.” Joe shook his finger at Pete with an off-kilter smile of his own. “I know where you’re going with this.”

“It’s perfect, right?” Pete laughed. “What’s more romantic than chasing after the woman you love across an ocean?”

“Nowthatis a grand gesture,” Joe crowed.

“What are you guys talking about?” Frederick watched dumbstruck as Joe and Pete high-fived each other. “I can call Anne to see if she’s free tomorrow. I… I’ll get her some flowers…”

“Can you believe this guy?” Joe jerked his thumb toward Frederick. “He doesn’t even know whathave-my-baby flowersare. How is he going to get her the right flowers?”

“I agree.” Pete nodded. “He wouldn’t even know where to start.”

Frederick threw his hands up in the air. “Heis standing right here.”

“Let Uncle Pete explain. Shall we start with your timing?” Pete got to his feet and paced alongside Frederick. “Anne is overwhelmed with preparations for the filming, right?”

“Right,” Frederick conceded. “She’s a perfectionist, so she is probably preparing herself within an inch of her life.”

“Don’t you think it might add to her stress if you called her out of the blue to ask her out on a date?” Pete sounded like he was speaking to a kindergartener.

“For the record, you two suggested I go tell hernow. Remember? Besides, it won’t be a date. It’ll be casual… I’ll just…”

Frederick had never met Anne alone since she had come back to the States, except for Christmas and that night in Bosque Verde. Both nights were mind-blowing in different ways and as far from casual as possible. Besides, how would he even ask her to meet with him?We need to talksounded so ominous. But he couldn’t tell her,I need to see you because I want to confess my undying love for you.

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