Page 54 of Mine This Time
I squeezed her hand. “Do you have to knock yourself? It was really good. I ran into one of the owners at a business chamber lunch the other day. She mentioned to me that you’ve definitely sent some business in their direction. Although I’ve got a solid business here, getting it up and running has been by the seat of my pants. I’ve never taken the time to have someone actually plan with me regarding our website and promotional materials. I think you’d be great for that.”
Mari stared at me for a long moment before another slow smile unfurled. “I might like that. As long as I’m in charge of myself. I do like to work independently.”
I held my hands up. “All yours. Now, I need to get into the office.”
Mari left with me, although she took her own car. She’d flown back to San Francisco and driven her car out here just last month. With Mari staying in the staff condo, we bounced between her place and my house. Part of me thought it was silly, and nothing more than an illusion to live apart. But, I knew after what she’d gone through with Brett that this was important to her. I also had enough sense to know we were still in the baby stages of our relationship. My impatience stemmed from the fact I knew, absolutely knew, I wanted to be with her completely.
Hours later, I took the elevator upstairs to her place. When she opened the door and I saw her with her hair up in a messy bun and glasses perched on her nose, I was through the door in a hot second, pressing her against it for a kiss. When I came up for air, she said, “This is stupid.”
“What’s stupid?” I countered, thinking kisses with Mari were anything but stupid.
“Pretending I need to stay here. I wanted to just come out to your place tonight. However, there are perks to having you up here for lunch,” she murmured against my lips as I rested my forehead against hers with a sigh of relief.
Epilogue
Mari
Two years later
* * *
“And tonight’s award goes to Mari Channing,” the presenter announced from the stage.
Nash leaned over and whispered something indecipherable in my ear as applause broke out. I dimly felt the press of his lips on my cheek and then him nudging me up from my seat. I was in shock, but I moved automatically and walked forward.
“Mari spearheaded the renovation of several historical sections of downtown New Orleans still recovering from the damage left by Hurricane Katrina,” the announcer said. “Her organization and promotion were central to this work.”
I didn’t even remember what I said after I received the award, but I did remember returning to my seat and being wrapped in Nash’s embrace.
“See,” he murmured. “I told you you’re amazing.”
The rest of the night was a blur where I was surrounded by friends, business acquaintances and family—in the form of Nash’s parents and sister, Max and Harlow, and our parents. When I’d decided to move to New Orleans and throw common sense to the wind, I hadn’t expected to land so firmly on my feet. In the time that had passed, I’d only fallen more deeply in love with Nash.
Our lives were insanely busy. Nash had meant what he said. I didn’t work for him, I worked with him.
Later that night, at the birthday bash his parents and mine had organized for me out at our house, I slipped into the dress Harlow had helped me find. “Oh, it’s gorgeous on you.” She canted her head to the side and sighed happily.
Smoothing my hands over the creamy silk fabric that twirled around my knees and rose up in a fitted bodice, I asked, “Really?”
Harlow clasped me gently by the shoulders and turned me around. “Yes.”
With my hair twisted into a knot and loose tendrils surrounding my face, my blue eyes stood out. Even I had to admit, the dress looked good.
“Now, come on,” she said, slipping her hand through my elbow and walking me briskly out of the bedroom I shared with Nash. With Harlow close to six feet tall and strong, I didn’t resist her tugging me along. It would’ve been pointless.
Moments later, I was weaving through the gardens behind our house. Nash had let me call all the shots when we’d landscaped the yard. As lovely as the home was when I moved in with him, he’d taken no time with landscaping since he’d started living there. I’d turned the yard into a lush, fragrant garden. The scent of gardenias in bloom drifted through the air mingling this evening.
I paused beside Max. His blue eyes twinkled as he smiled down at me. “Good work, Mari.”
“Thanks, Max. It’s been fun. Who knew I’d be so good at this?”
“I did.” His gaze had gone dead serious.
I smiled softly. “I landed in the right place.”
“You did,” he replied with a nod. “Nash is looking for you, by the way.” He nudged his chin through the crowd to where Nash stood on the edges.
I leaned up and pressed a kiss on my brother’s cheek. “Well then, I guess I’ll go find him.”
