Page 153 of Holding You
“It’s okay Dec. You don’t have to say anything.”
I wipe at my cheeks to save some kind of dignity, then turn to look at him.
“You’re just doing what’s best for you and Susie. I know.” I look at Colt. “Please bring Max down in five minutes.”
He nods.
The elevator doors open and I step in. I press the “L” button and wait, arms crossed and gaze down as I wait for the doors to close, knowing Declan is going to stare at me until they do.
For what? What reason would he have to just watch me fall apart?
I close my eyes for the last few seconds, and then finally breathe a sigh of relief when the doors close.
“Oh God,” I say and let the tears break.
“Baby, please don’t cry,” Declan says from beside me.
I startle and then I can’t help it. I break down.
“Instead of giving a speech on everything I’m thinking I’ll get right to the point,” he says. He steps in front of me, his finger under my chin, gently forcing me to look at him. “What’s best for me and Susie is being wherever you and Max are.”
“What?”
“I sold the company to Colt.”
Oh my God.
“You what? But Declan, that wasn’t your goal. That wasn’t what you wanted. All that stuff with Susie’s mom and what you need to?—”
“Baby, I’m miserable without you, and I don’t need this company. I need you. I know I’ve made mistakes before, but those choices have led me to you, and letting you go was not a mistake I was going to make. Not again.”
“But you love this place.”
“I love you more.”
“You do?”
He nods.
“I love you so damn much, Ruby Asher, and as soon as this deal is done, I’m coming back to Lovers. For good.”
“You are?” I ask, even though it’s silly because he clearly just said so.
“I am.” He steps closer, backing me up against the elevator wall. “And I know I don’t deserve it, but I want us to pick back up where we were. With you and Max moving in with me and Susie, all of us doing this family thing forever.”
I chuckle through happy tears. God, I’m a mess. “Is that a proposal?”
He shakes his head.
“I am going to marry you someday, but when I propose, you won’t have to question whether I am or not. Got it?”
I bite my lips.
“Got it.”
He swoops me into his arms and kisses me as if his life depends on it.
And I will choose to let him kiss every single day for the rest of our lives.
