Page 88 of Meet Me at the Grand

“Right.” Dani hustled through the crowd toward the entrance to the tiny backstage area. People called for her, but she just waved. Hopefully they’d forgive her rudeness, but she really needed as much time as possible to prep her new partner for the presentation.

She opened the door, bracing herself.

“Liam?”

His back was to her, but when the light from the hallway flooded the dimly lit backstage, he pivoted to face her.

And he’d turned into an islander.

He wore jeans, a cable knit sweater, boots. Like hebelongedhere. Worse, even from here, she could smell his cologne, see how his once-gelled hair was now windswept and casual.

His gaze ran over her, and now he swallowed. “Hi, Dani.”

She couldn’t breathe. “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t even flinch at her question. “I’m here to finish what we started.”

“Oh.” For some reason, the answer didn’t sit well. Probably because he wasn’t just a job to her. But if he was going to be all business, then she would force herself to be as well. Still, she had to know. “But what about your dad? The CEO position?”

“Turns out, he didn’t need me to be something I’m not. He was more than happy to find someone else to replace him.”

“That still doesn’t tell me why you’re here. I thought you were going to deliver the Bertram pitch? Did it not go well?”

“It did, but that project has been postponed indefinitely, since Jimmy has agreed to step up as interim CEO for the time being.” He took a step toward her. “And all of that allows me to do the job I was originally assigned.”

So that was why he was here then. He felt obligated to keep his word. Nothing more. “Well, since you’re familiar with the pitch, I guess we don’t need to practice it. Though I did add a minor change to the plans?—”

“Dani. Stop. Please.” Liam strode over, stopping just shy of where she stood. They were mere inches apart, and even in the darkened space, she saw the sparks of light in his eyes. “When I said I was here to finish what we started, I wasn’t talking about the hotel.”

Oh. Her heart bumped against her chest, her hopes. “You weren’t?” Aw. And now her voice croaked out, too much of her heart in it.

“Well, I was. I’m here to do the presentation with you. To rebuild the Grand with you, if you still want me to.” Then he reached for her hand. “But I’m also here to beg you for another chance. For us. To see if you can ever forgive me for leaving you, for not being willing to try.”

Oh, this man. “I do forgive you, Liam,” she said quietly.

“You were right. I was a coward.”

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

“But I needed to hear it.” He exhaled. “I was a coward. I ran away when I should have trusted that things would work out. I was scared to admit it, but this life is exactly what I’ve always wanted.” He threaded their fingers together, one by one. “Youare exactly what I’ve always wanted. And you are worth any risk, Dani Sullivan.”

“Liam…”

“I love you, Dani.” Liam leaned closer, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips that left Dani sighing.

She placed her arms around his neck, hugging him close. “I love you too, city boy.”

He laughed. “Not a city boy for long. What do you think about helping me find a house here on the island?”

“Really? You’re going to stay?”

“I don’t plan to leave ever again unless you’re with me.”

She shivered at the implication in his words. “Good.” Then she tugged his head down and kissed him again, this time deeper and fuller, giving him her whole heart—the one that God had made whole.

A throat cleared behind them, and they broke apart to find Seb with his head peeking behind the curtain. “Hey, lovebirds. It’s showtime. You ready?”

Liam gripped Dani’s hand in his and pressed a kiss to it. “So ready.”

---