Page 119 of Finding Home

“Yes… Finally!” She groaned in relief as the elevator pinged open at the lobby.

“The elevator finally arrived?”

“Yeah.” She slammed her finger against the button for her floor. “I may lose you.”

“Yeah, so?—”

As the doors shut, the line went silent. They could put people on the moon, have video chats with people in submarines, and invent hairspray that actually held all day but still no phone that would let you continue a call on an elevator.

Elle’s fingers hit redial as the elevator reached the fifth floor, knowing the call would connect as soon as the doors slid open. Holding the phone close to her ear, she stepped onto the red and gold swirl carpet leading to her room, her feet suddenly immobilized as her eyes anchored to the large mirror hangingacross from the bank of elevators decorated with a series of purple Post-Its spelling out a single word.Hi.

FORTY-FIVE

“Where the heart is really attached, I know very well

how little one can be pleased with the attention

of anyone else.”

~Jane Austen,Northanger Abbey

Elle’s heart thudded in her chest as she stood frozen in the elevator vestibule.

“Elle?” Braedon’s voice cut in from the phone, the call finally connecting.

“Braedon…” Elle’s hands trembled, her stare locked on the greeting made up of purple Post-Its. “...what did you do?” Hot tears fell from the corners of her eyes, blurring her vision.

“I take it that my delivery is there. I’m going to hang up now and not rebook your flight ‘til you call me later. Also, I’ve cancelled all your meetings for the rest of the week and next week,” they said smugly.

“Where is he?” She scanned the empty hall.

“Go to your room,” they commanded.

“Thank you.” she said, her voice a breathy whisper.

“You’re welcome. Just remember who gave him your room number when you do my performance review. Well, unless this is a bad thing, then it was Deborah from HR and not me.” They were still laughing as he disconnected.

“Everybody needs a Braedon.” she said to the already quiet line, slipping her phone into her purse.

Inhaling deeply, hoping this wasn’t a dream, that this was real, she turned the corner toward her room. A furry bullet barreled into her.

“Fitz!” she cried, falling to her knees in the middle of the hallway pressing her face against his, allowing a barrage of snorting yelps and wet kisses to greet her.

“He missed you.” Clayton’s deep voice wrapped around her like the coziest blanket.

Tilting her head up, she drank in his tall frame, leaning against her room door, a smile lighting his beloved face. With a final stroke of Fitz’s coat, Elle bounded to her feet and ran to Clayton.

He caught her in his strong arms, possessing her mouth with a hungry passion.

“I missed him. I missed you,” she gasped between kisses.

“I missed you.” He clasped her face in his hands, his gray eyes studying her as if she wasn’t quite real.

“I was just on the phone with Braedon to get me a flight home so I could see you. You know, a big romantic gesture. What are you doing here?” she said with tearful laughter, motioning to him.

“Big romantic gesture.” He winked, a devilish grin on his lips.

“Clayton, I am so sorry. I never asked you what you wanted, and I broke my promise to you.” She stepped back.

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