Page 17 of Mine to Keep

“What did he say?”

Kate rolls her eyes, then turns back to me. “Oh my God! Tommy! What happened to you?” She pushes the flowers aside to get a better look at me.

“Your dad happened.” I laugh, still feeling the sting of the punch my best friend delivered to my face only a few hours ago.

“What?” she exclaims, taking the roses from my hands and setting them on her chair. “When did you see my dad?”

“We had a nice little chat earlier today, and I got to find out firsthand that his jab is still as good as it ever was.”

Kate brings her warm palms to my cheeks, and I close my eyes, leaning into her touch. She tilts my chin to the left then the right, while she examines my new black eye. It hurt like a bitch, but I’d take the hit again if it got my friend to speak to me and begrudgingly forgive me.

“Earlier today? You went back to Chicago?” Her brow wrinkles and her gaze narrows.

“I had to talk to him. This whole thing has been eating me alive since the moment he walked in on us.”

Her smooth cheeks turn a subtle shade of red as she remembers our last night together. “So he hit you?Mydad? Geoff Roush?” She acts as if we’re discussing a stranger.

“Yes, honey.Yourdad. The man owns a construction company, Kate. I assure you he knows how to handle himself. He’s only a teddy bear to you.”

She snorts a laugh, imagining her father as a human-size plush toy. “I’m confused.” She shakes her head. “You flew all the way out there just to turn around and come right back. Why?”

“For you. For us.” I desperately want to pull her hips to mine, but I can tell she’s not ready for me to touch her yet, as she stands with her arms crossed over her ample chest. “Some things are better said in person, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Hmph.” A noncommittal sound is all she gives me, so I continue.

“I had to apologize in person. He’s my best friend and he deserves that much. I know I should have told him about us from the beginning, but honestly, I never planned for it to go any further.”

“I see.” Her response is clipped, a stark contrast to her usual melodic tone.

“I couldn’t stay away. I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Her features soften and I think I’m getting through to her. That is, until we’re reminded we have an audience.

“She should make him beg,” one of the women hisses.

“Quiet, Doreen. I can’t hear.”

“I’ll take him if she doesn’t want him?”

“Is he who I think he is?”

Kate huffs, and I know I better move fast before she kicks me out of her office so everyone can get back to work.

“I love you,” I blurt out, and her eyes widen again. “You walked into my life with your fire and brilliance, and I knew I had to have you. That one taste in Miami was not enough.”

Someone whispers, “What happened in Miami?”

“Hush, girl. I’ll tell you later,” someone else answers.

Kate rises on her tiptoes and looks at them over the low cubicle walls. “Can you let the man finish without your commentary, please?” she scolds, and I stifle my laugh.

“I love you, Kate. I love the way you challenge me, the way you care so fiercely about everything and everyone. You’refunny, and smart, and kind, and so fucking sexy I can’t stand it. Please forgive me,” I beg as I hold her gaze.

Tears well in her blue eyes and it feels like a stab in the chest, knowing I’m the one who put them there. “But you said?—”

“I was only trying to do the right thing. I swear.” I reach for her hands and she places her palms in mine. “I’ll do anything for your forgiveness, baby. I never meant to hurt you or make you think I didn’t want you.” Then I drop to my knees, earning myself a collective gasp from her coworkers. Guess they’ve never seen a man grovel before. “I promise to spend every day proving that you are my beginning and end. My reason for everything. You’re the love of my life, Kate.”

The silence is deafening and the tension in the room is palpable as we all hold our breaths and wait for her response. Her face is passive, and fear begins to creep in as I worry I’ve ruined all chances with her. Then she’s moving, crashing into me in a flurry of blond hair and soft curves. Her arms wrap around my neck, and our lips meet in a kiss that seals promises and mends the fractures of my once-guarded heart.

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