Page 125 of If We Never Met

"Because I've gotten used to hesitating," she admitted. "To saying no to things that might disrupt my life and my mom's life. But now I can see that I've been using my mom as an excuse. I can't keep doing that. She's better, and I'm happy about that. I just have to accept it and look forward. So, I think I'll go to LA."

"You should definitely do that. Maybe Los Angeles is where your future is."

"I don't want to live in LA. I don't think I need to. I might have to make some trips there, but I can design from anywhere." She licked her suddenly dry lips. "Even from Miami."

His gaze lit up. "You'd come to Miami with me?"

"If you want me to."

"Of course I want you to go with me, Keira. But I don't want you to sacrifice anything for me."

"I don't want to do that, either. I want to be a little selfish, Dante."

"You deserve to be selfish. You've been taking care of your mom for years. It's your time, Keira. Look, I've been thinking, too. I'm up for a new contract at the end of this season. If we need to be somewhere that's better for you—LA, New York, anywhere—I can make a move to a team in a location that works for both of us."

She was surprised by his words. "Really? You'd do that?"

"In a second. Since I got injured, I've been terrified that I'd have to figure out a life without baseball, and I couldn't see one. Baseball became my happy place after my mom died, and I didn't think that happy place could be anywhere else, but I was wrong. Last night, when I held you in my arms while you slept, I felt happier than I've ever felt before. I can live anywhere, and I can do anything, as long as you're with me."

Her eyes teared up at his words. "That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me."

"I mean every word, Keira."

"Being with you, Dante, has also given me some of my happiest moments. I think you're my happy place, too."

"Then let's keep the happy train going." He gently swept a tear off her cheek. "I found something real with you, Keira. I can't let you go."

"I'm not going to let you go, either. I've never been to Miami, but it sounds like a fun city. I bet you have a fancy apartment."

He gave her a grin. "I do. I also have a boat."

"Seriously? You never mentioned that, not even when we were on Adam's boat, although you did seem very comfortable on it."

"It didn't come up."

"Because you didn't bring it up. You didn't want to brag. I've always thought you were down-to-earth for being a superstar."

"Speaking of celebrity, I can't promise that photographers won't be following us around at times or that there won't be more made-up stories about us."

"I don't care about that. The world can think what they want. As long as you and I are honest with each other, I'm good."

He shook his head in bemusement. "I'm so used to being around people who care very much what the world thinks. You're one of a kind."

"So are you."

"This is going to be good, Keira. You and me. I want a forever deal, by the way, nothing short-term. I don't commit to much, but when I do, I give it everything I have."

"So do I. And I want to give you everything that I have." Her heart ached with love. "Can we start on forever now?"

"Absolutely." He wrapped his arms around her, and she opened her mouth to his hot, sexy kiss.

Epilogue

The dressing roomat the church was filled with beautiful women, but the prettiest one of all was the red-haired bride with the pale skin and the smattering of freckles on her face and shoulders. Keira smiled at Hannah as they gazed at each other in the mirror. Hannah's off-the-shoulder dress clung to her bust and fell in a soft drape of silk and lace to the ground.

"We look amazing," Hannah said.

"I agree." Her bridesmaid's dress was a bold blue that was short and sexy and could definitely be worn again, as long as she made sure none of the four other bridesmaids were wearing the same dress at the same time.

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