Page 150 of In the Air Tonight

“In case you haven’t noticed, I love you, Blaise.”

“I love you, too.” I’m so relieved to be able to tell him that. “When I came here to right a terrible wrong from the past, I never imagined for a second that I might find my future.”

“When I built the cottages, I never imagined that one day the woman of my dreams might rent one of them.”

“You give a good compliment.”

“Even with the trouble you’re dealing with, I’ve never been happier in my life than I’ve been since you arrived.”

“I feel the same way, but how can I be so happy in the midst of the craziness going on in my life?”

“The craziness is out there. Let’s keep it there, okay?”

“That sounds good to me.”

“So we’re staying put here and toughing it out together?”

“I guess we are.”

“We’ll do the Cape after the trial.”

“I’ll look forward to that.”

He takes my mug and puts it next to his on the bedside table. “Now how should we celebrate this somewhat major decision?”

“I can’t think of a single thing.”

“Really?”

His surprised expression makes me laugh, which happens a lot with him.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed laughing until Jack made it part of my daily life again.

“You just got serious on me.” He kisses my neck and makes me shiver. “What gives?”

“I was thinking about how much I’ve missed laughing until you reminded me what it’s like to laugh all the time.”

“I’ll do my best to keep you laughing every day.”

“Sometimes I wonder how this can be real. I didn’t even know you six weeks ago, and now I can’t imagine life without you.”

“Then my work here is nearly finished.”

“No way! Your work here is just beginning.”

“Oh damn, what am I signing on for?”

“A lifetime as my favorite person.”

“Yes, please.” When he kisses me, I forget the many worries and fears I woke up with and am thinking only of him as hequickly has me clinging to him. The flashpoint of desire that happens with him is new to me, and I can’t get enough of it. But I want to give him as much as he gave me, so, I push on his chest to get him to turn over.

When he’s settled on his back, he looks up at me with a curious expression. “What’s going on?”

“Just a little of this.” I kiss his chest and nuzzle his chest hair, making him groan.

Fenway barks, and we laugh.

“He’s okay, girl,” I tell the dog.

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