Page 90 of Random Encounter

I stared her in disbelief, and failed to ignore she hadn’t said it back. “I had a whole speech planned. Dinner Wednesday night. But I’m supposed to be taking you home now, so you get the abbreviated version until I have time for more.”

“Except we’re still here,” Addie said.

“I’ll give you a flowery speech.” Phillip reached past us to close the office door, then stepped up next to Addie. He grasped her fingers and brought them to his lips, kissing one at a time. “I can’t imagine a future without you. Last night was terrifying, not knowing if you were all right. I don’t want to let you go. I will, if that’s what you want, but I’ll do everything in my power to prove how incredible we would be together. Anything you ask. I love you, Adrienne.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “I love you too. Yesterday was hard, but seeing you at the hospital when I got out… I wish I’d felt up to sticking around, and that I hadn’t already used up so many words in the last day or so. I love you.”

I cleared my throat loudly, drawing their attention. “Excuse me? Phillip didn’t even figure it out until I told him, and I was going to say it to you first, Addie, but then you were hurt, and now he’s stolen my thunder. I love you too. I’d do anything for you too.”

Addie focused on me, still gripping Phillip’s hand. “But you did say this to each other?”

Did that matter at this moment? “Yes.”

“God I was wondering how long that would take.” Her exclamation caught me off-guard. Before I could reply, she rose on her toes and kissed me on the cheek, then the lips. “And I love you too. You’re both stupid boys, with stupid egos. But I love you, Dustin. And as much as I love a public display of affection, one, I don’t want to get fired if Judith finds out I’m still here, and two, I don’t want to get fired for doing anything inappropriate in the office. Again.” She smirked.

“Eh, we’ll save that for after hours.” I kissed her on the tip of the nose. “And fine, I’ll take you home. But tomorrow night, as soon as my place is my own again, you’re mine—ours.”

“I’m yours now,” Addie said. “But yes. Definitely.”

I hated to wait, patience was not a virtue of mine, but Addie and Phillip were worth waiting for.

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