Page 145 of Catching Sparks

His laugh skitters down my spine as he leans back. His eyes smother mine, the promise of forever gleaming in them. My toes curl in my boots.

“It took this long because I decided to turn my entire world upside down before coming back for you. I wanted to have answers to any and every question you’d come up with once you’ve learned about what I’ve been doing. Now, tell me there’s nobody else.”

“There’s nobody else,” I whisper, slowly lifting my hand to his chest. The feel of the soft fabric beneath my palm, his warmth soaking through and heart beating frantically, is better than anything I’ve ever experienced. “I doubt there ever would have been.”

“Good. You’re my woman. And you know how little I care for sharing.”

“Am I your woman?”

He breathes a laugh and pinches my chin, tilting my head back. “Yeah, honey. You’re my fucking woman. Hope you’re okay with never being single another day in your life because that little break we just had? It was the last one you’re ever going to have. I’m keeping you for the rest of my life.”

“I’ve never been more okay with anything, Garrison. I want a life with you. But I need answers first.”

He strokes his thumb along my bottom lip. “Tell me what you want to know.”

“Why the hell did you leave without saying goodbye? And why were so cold to me when you texted me? That was cruel. I don’t know what I was wanting from you, but I know it wasn’t that.” My voice breaks, and I shut my eyes for a moment to collect myself.

“If I had stayed to say goodbye, I wouldn’t have left. I think you know that as much as I do. I couldn’t text you on the plane ride home because I would have told the pilot to turn home. I’m so, so sorry, baby,” he murmurs, setting his forehead against mine. “Let me make it up to you. I’m here to stay as long as you’ll have me.”

“In Cherry Peak?” I ask, immediately scrunching my nose, knowing that that isn’t what needs to happen. He was right when he said he’d suffocate here. He’s too big for a city this small. I’ve come to realize that maybe we both are.

“Not Cherry Peak.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m shifting to oversee the Calgary branch of Swift Edge. It’ll be my head office for the foreseeable future. No more Toronto, honey. Not without you coming with me when I have to visit, at least.”

“What?” I shriek, shaking my head as he tightens his grip on my chin and laughs. “You made that decision in two weeks? Garrison Beckett! You’re a lovesick fool!”

He shakes his head, expression certain. “I actually made the decision in less than two weeks, and I haven’t regretted it since. Not once. The only thing I regret is not having thought of it before I left in the first place. I’m more content with this decision than I have been any other I’ve made.”

“Do you—do you have a place to live? What about your parents? Your mom? You can’t leave her. She needs you, and you need her!” I ramble, too many emotions firing at once.

“Breathe, Poppy. Everything will be just fine. I promise. My mom is coming with me. Her and my dad. They’re looking for houses right now. We’re going together. Starting a new chapter as a family,” he explains, smoothing his fingers along my cheeks.

“Your dad?” My eyes well with tears, and I blink them back profusely. “Oh, Garrison. That’s amazing.”

“I’m serious about this. About you. Three hours is still too much distance between us, but eventually, I’m sure I can move closer. Somewhere in the middle, maybe?”

“Ask me to move to Calgary with you, Garrison,” I tell him, my voice strong.

I don’t have to stop and think about what I’m saying. I’m as sure about this as he is about the decisions he’s made. This man is it for me. The person I’m going to be with for the rest of my life. Both sides have to sacrifice, and even though it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice as much as a change of direction, I’m still positive this is what I want to do.

Garrison doesn’t look as positive in my decision, though. His dumbfounded expression makes me giggle. “What? I would never make you do that for me.”

“Just ask me.”

“Poppy,” he says bluntly.

“Garrison,” I sing back.

“I’m not asking that of you.”

“Then you don’t have to.” I smooth my hand up his chest before curling it around his nape. “I’m coming with you to Calgary. As long as you want that as much as I do. We’ll start over together.”

“Of course I want you to move with me. But your family is here. Your friends and career.”

“And your family was in Toronto. Your friends and career. You don’t get to be the only one who makes these decisions. We’re going to do things together from now on. As a pair.”

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