Page 118 of Playing Flirty

The very same one Gandalf stole so many years ago at Comic-Con.

William took a deep breath. “You made a joke about how rude I was for calling you a hobbit, and I realized you didn’t recognize me—or you didn’t want to, because Patrick was right there. But I figured it was the latter because you never called after Comic-Con.”

Vulnerability crept into William’s voice, onto his handsome features and into his soft, inviting posture. “I waited. I waited for this girl I fell in love with in the space of a few hours. This girl that exuded everything I needed, all packaged in a tiny hobbit costume.” He ran a hand through his hair and turned away from me. “I waited for you to call, and you never did. So I thought I’d spare us the embarrassment.” Turning to face me now, he chewed on his bottom lip. “You also had a boyfriend… and then when you didn’t, Shaun told me to stay away from you.”

I turned the heart over in my hand, unable to process any of this. “I lost Gandalf’s… your… number before I got home.”

William fell onto the couch.

“It was gone,” I stammered. “I searched every pocket in my bag, but your number was gone.”

Leaning forward, he grabbed my wrist and guided me toward him. “But you wanted to call me?” His voice was almost inaudible.

I nodded. “I made my mom drive back. I made her help me search the parking lot because the venue was closed. The pamphlet you’d written it on was gone. I must have accidentally thrown it into the trash or it fell out of my bag. I don’t know. It disappeared.” I turned the heart around in my hand. Then, stepping between his knees, I held it out to him.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

I laughed as the words poured out of me. “Because you’ve had my heart all along.”

“That’s really cheesy.” He smiled and took the marker, slipping it back into his pocket. “But I’ll take it.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come up with anything better.” I narrowed my eyes. “I’m busy processing all of this.”

He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me, his hand gripping the back of my neck, deepening the kiss in a way that made my entire body clench and flutter. The memory of Gandalf—of William—kissing me while I wore this exact hobbit costume sent me into a state of euphoria.

“I can’t believe you never realized,” he whispered, his eyes holding mine.

I couldn’t understand either. I wrapped my arms around his neck and studied his features—his nose, his lips, his eyes—while I pictured my Gandalf.

“You wore a wig and a beard!” I teased. “And you never gave me your name.”

“I wanted to plant intrigue. I thought I was very cool at that age.” His dimple emerged, deep and on show just for me.

“I can’t believe this,” I said, giggling and thinking I may never stop.

“And I can’t believe you’re wearing this.” He kissed the tip of my nose.

“I also can’t believe I went to your office wearing a hobbit costume that barely fits.”

“Seriously?” William laughed, his chest vibrating against me, and I pushed closer. “Why did you come looking for me?”

“Why did you come looking for me?” I asked.

“I came begging. Don’t marry Patrick.” His voice was low and traveled to my very core. His dark eyes met mine as he repeated himself, this time enunciating each word. “Please don’t marry Patrick.”

“I already said no,” I whispered.

“He’s not perfect.” William lifted a shaky hand to my chin and tilted my face until I had no choice but to look at him. “You’re perfect, Rose. You’re the only one who’s perfect, and he doesn’t deserve you.”

“And you do?” My heart beat hard in my chest.

Please say yes.

William shook his head. “No.”

My stomach twisted. If William hadn’t been holding me firmly, I’d have turned away.

“No, I’m far from perfect. But, if you let me, I’ll try.” He leaned down, his nose brushing against mine. “I’ve been trying, and I wanted to make sure that I could be everything you wanted and deserved.” His breath shook against my skin. “But I needed the time. And I wanted to prove to you, to me, to Shaun, that I am worthy of you and your love, Rose.”

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