Page 81 of Take This Heart
We make our way to my SUV and I thread my fingers through hers. She looks up at me and smiles.
“You’re quiet,” she says as we drive away.
My hand finds hers again. This need to keep finding ways to touch her is new for me.
“I’m just…happy. They loved you. I knew they would.”
“I loved them too. They made me feel right at home.” She takes a deep breath. “You don’t think they have any reservations about me being a Whitman?”
“They did at first. I told them about you a long time ago and they were concerned. But when I called my mom earlier this week…the morning after we…kissed...” I smile when she bites her lip. I know that if it wasn’t dark out, I’d see pink cheeks. “She could tell that I was serious about you.”
“You’re serious about me?” Her voice is quiet.
I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “I am. Are you okay with that?”
“I…I think so.” She laughs softly.
“Does it scare you?”
“Yes,” she answers with no hesitation.
“Me too. Why does it scare you?”
“I don’t want to wreck our working relationship.”
“I think we’re both too professional to let that happen.”
She nods. “You’re right.”
“What really scares you?”
“That you won’t mean any of it. Maybe you’re still hung up on Roshana. Maybe none of it is true.”
That slams into my gut. “Goldie. I was into you the night we met at the Walker, months ago. I’ve been invested in every argument, every joke, trivia night, your vision for art and your family resort, and every twist and quirk of these goddamn lips. You have invaded every thought and turned my life upside down. I couldn’t stop thinking about you if I tried, and I don’t want to. Yes, I’m scared. I’m scared you don’t feel the same. I’m scared you’ll let your fears about relationships frighten you away from me. I’m scared you’ll change your mind. I’m scared you’ll never fully let me in.” I exhale and when we stop at a red light, I put the SUV in park and turn to face her. “Roshana fucking who? I’m scared because I’ve never felt this way about anyone, not even close to it, and it’s fucking overwhelming.”
Her eyes are glassy, but she smiles.
The car behind us lets out a loud honk, and she jumps, laughing.
I get back in gear and drive ahead, cursing. “I can’t get you home soon enough.”
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone either, Milo.” She squeezes my hand.
“Not even Wes?”
“My best day with him was not even close to how good my worst day is with you,” she says.
“Dammit, woman. I need to kiss you.” I speed through the streets and she laughs.
When we pull up to my building, she whistles under her breath. “I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this building.”
I grin as I park and lead her to the elevator, my hand resting low on her back. “Perfect. Your wish is my command.”
“You sure are a lot more accommodating than you were in the beginning.” She smirks at me and then her eyes widen when we step out on the penthouse level.
“It was hard to be accommodating when you were busting my balls every chance you got.” I lean around her to unlock my door.
She giggles. “I don’t plan to stop, so…” She lifts her shoulder and glances back at me, grinning.
