Page 40 of Charming Crosschecks

“You sound like you’re considering it,” she observed, tilting her head as if trying to read his expression.

“I need more details,” he replied, his tone practical but still laced with uncertainty. “We’ll have a chance to talk about it this weekend.”

“Are we still on for our date?” she asked. Her attempt to steer the conversation into lighter territory is evident in her tone.

“Absolutely,” he replied with a faint smile. “Can you be ready to go in an hour? Are you almost done here?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod. “I’ll finish up. Just come get me when you’re ready.”

“Molly…” he began, hesitating as he reached for her hand.

“Oh, I know, Gerry—I won’t breathe a word,” she offered quickly, her tone reassuring. But he didn’t let go of her hand, and when she looked up at him, she saw something in his expression that made her heart squeeze.

“No,” he said tenderly, the word carrying an unexpected weight. Slowly, he leaned down and dropped a soft kiss on her lips, his touch light but full of meaning. “I’m really glad I have you in my life, and we can talk about things. You’re my rock, Molly. You keep me steady—and I just wanted to tell you how much you mean to me.”

Her breath caught.

At that moment, all the uncertainties and fears faded like the tide retreating from the shore. The chaos in his mind quieted, leaving only the steady, unyielding truth: her. In his arms, with those words spoken between them, Gerry felt a profound sense of clarity settle over him. He could see their future more vividly than ever before. Every doubt, every hesitation that had plagued him about what lay ahead dissolved.

She was his anchor, tethering him to a sense of purpose he hadn’t known he needed. The way her gaze softened when it landed on him, the gentle curve of her lips, the warmth of her presence—all of it fortified him in ways he couldn’t put into words.

Shewashis rock.

Molly was the one who stilled the turbulence in his soul, grounding him in a security he never thought possible. And if Calgary wasn’t what she wanted? Then Calgary wasn’t what he wanted, either.

It was that simple.

“I’m so…” she began, her voice thick with emotion, her eyes glistening as she swallowed hard. Her face was an open book, each movement of her features revealing the depth of what she felt. “I’m so glad we managed to find our way. You mean a lot to me, too.”

Those words hit him harder than he expected, filling the cracks he hadn’t realized were still there. His chest tightened, not from fear but from the overwhelming flood of affection and gratitude he felt for her.

“We’re a team,” he said, his voice steady, though his heart pounded against his ribs.

“We’re thebestteam,” she replied, a small, tender smile curving her lips as her hand reached up to rest against his cheek.

He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke of promises unspoken and a love that ran deeper than words. When he pulled back, his throat felt tight, and his chest ached with the intensity of his emotions.He wasn’t used to this—to feeling so much at once—but she made him brave enough to face it.

Still, reality tugged at the edge of his consciousness, reminding him of what waited outside the cocoon of their moment. He let out a small sigh, brushing his thumb across her cheek one last time before stepping back.

“I need to get back to the gym,” he said, his tone laced with regret. The weight of the decision he still had to make loomed, but he wasn’t ready to share it with anyone else. Not yet. “Finish my circuits. And avoid the chatter with the guys.”

Her brow arched slightly, but she didn’t push. She never did.

“The last thing I need is for this to get around before I’ve decided,” he admitted, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “When it comes to money, you’ve got to keep your secrets for a reason.”

As he left her, the echoes of their words lingered in his mind, intertwining with the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He wasn’t sure what the future held, but with her by his side, he knew one thing for certain—he was no longer afraid to find out. He couldn’t wait for this weekend to be alone with her, and maybe they would discuss a few things besides Calgary.

Like their future.

CHAPTER 13

MOLLY

“We’re what?”Molly asked, her voice tinged with disbelief as they pulled up to the chain-link fence enclosing a private airstrip. The car’s engine idled softly, but her mind was racing. She turned toward Gerry, her wide eyes searching his face for answers, her emotions a cocktail of confusion, shock, and incredulous delight.

Their dates had always been a comfortable rhythm—dinners at cozy little spots, quiet nights on the couch, and laughter shared over old sitcoms. It was simple, effortless, and perfect. Work and home had clear boundaries. This? This was something entirely different.

“We’re hopping on a plane and…” Gerry started, his voice steady but laced with excitement.

---