Page 91 of The Only Time

“Please, don’t apologize for a single thing. I’m the one who owes the apology. That night, I had just gotten back from work and was already on edge because I had just realized how much I hated my job. It was an effort to get through the workday when all I wanted to do was come home to you. That scared me. I knew deep down I was already in love with you, and I felt out of control. So, when I came home, and you were there to give me that business proposal, I was already in a terrible headspace.”

Well, that sounds like shitty timing. I wish I had known that.

“It’s no excuse as to how I acted,” he continues. “But I just wanted you to have some context. I was jealous of how much you loved your job, but I kept telling myself that not everyone gets to do what they love. For the longest time, I’ve contributed money to being worthy. But the second I thought something could have happened to you. It was like everything fell into place. I realized it didn’t matter the amount of money I had sitting in the bank if the woman I loved was gone.”

I inhale a shaky breath. Hearing him say he loves me again when I’m not lying in a hospital bed feels different. Can this be real? It’s everything I want to hear.

Why do I still feel so scared?

“But I was a fool. I came to you and unloaded all of this on you when you were weak and hurt. And I expected you to believe it after just one moment of declaration. For that, I’m sorry.”

He lifts his hand and glides his thumb across my cheek. Only now do I realize that I’m crying.

“When you told me to leave, I shouldn’t have taken that as an ending to our story. But I was scared,” he says as I see emotion cloud his eyes as well. “You were in that hospital because of anex who didn’t listen to your demand to leave you alone. I didn’t want to be another ex who didn’t honor your request.”

I can’t believe I never thought about it like that. I stare back at this man. This amazing man who just wanted to make sure I never felt pressured again, and I suddenly can’t stay away. I throw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck as I cry into his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I made you feel that way. I was just so scared of getting hurt,” I cry.

His arms snake around my waist and he pulls me into him. Everything already feels exactly like it should again. I’m so crazy for this man.

When I pull away, I sit back down but this time our bodies are touching. I don’t want to feel any distance between us again.

“I understand, Mia. But I owe you the apology. None of this would have happened if I was just able to pull my head out of my ass for a second to realize that I was the one afraid of getting hurt again. But I should have known from the moment I met you that you were different.”

He pauses and smiles down at me. “I quit my job.”

“What?” I gasp. “You quit? When?”

“The second Layla called to tell me you were in the hospital. I was already being told that my bosses thought I was slacking off when I started working normal hours. Then when I knew I had to get to you, explaining why I needed to leave just pissed me off. So, I quit.”

“And…how do you feel about that now?” I ask cautiously.

I hope he doesn’t regret it. I would feel awful.

He smiles. “I feel great about it. You know the crazy part? I told my colleague to tell them I quit, and they haven’t even called me since I left. They never gave a shit about me. But then I found your business proposal for my company. Mia, it was amazing.”

“You think so?”

He cups my cheek tenderly. “I have already bought the LLC and worked with a bank to get it all setup. I even made a sign for my barn. Do you want to see it?” he asks.

“Of course I do,” I say with excitement.

He pulls out his phone and shows me a picture. The sign has the logo that I designed burned into it. “Eric, it’s stunning. I love it. I can’t believe this. I’m so proud of you.”

I look up into his eyes and the way he is looking at me has my heart skipping a beat. “You saw me, Mia. The real me. The one who always dreamed of this but never knew it was possible. I’m so crazy about you. I…I love you.”

“You do?” I ask as my heart thunders in my chest.

He nods his head. “Of course I do. And I’m willing to do anything to be with you. Have you move to South Carolina and live with me or move up here to be with you. Whatever it takes. You are my forever. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my entire life.”

“You would move here for me?”

His finger runs along my jaw as I swallow heavily. “I would do anything for you, Mia. The only time I have ever felt loved and accepted for who I am, has been with you. You are my world now, and nothing will stop me from making sure we are together.”

All these years I’ve wondered if there was someone out there who would go to the ends of the earth to be with me. I never thought it would happen. Even when I thought I was running away from the scariest time of my life, it was leading me to my happy ever after.

“Eric,” I say through a cloud of emotion. “I love you too.”

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