Page 131 of Perfect Harmony

He winced, and she rubbed at her forehead.“Look I appreciate that you want to apologize, but driving all this way -”

“I didn’t drive,” he said.

She blinked at him. “You didn’t… drive? Howdid you get here?”

“I flew.”

“On a plane?” she said stupidly.

“Yes.”

“But you’re afraid to fly. Kira said that thelast time you tried you had a panic attack.”

“I did. But I wanted to see you.”

“How did you…”

He took a deep breath. “Truthfully? Preacherhad to fly with me and hold my hand the entire fucking time. Like, literally,he held my hand. In the airport, when we walked onto the plane, and during thewhole flight. An old lady on the plane stopped by our seats and told us howhappy it made her that two young fellas like us could proudly show their loveto the world.”

Grace laughed, she couldn’t help it, and aghost of a smile crossed Gideon’s lips. “The hand-holding helped, but theremight have been a sedative involved as well.”

“Where is Preacher?”

“At the hotel, waiting to see if I can win youback,” he said.

“Why didn’t you just drive?” she said.

“Because I wanted you to know how importantyou are to me, Princess. And I was afraid you’d be on a flight to Californiaby the time I got here.”

“I… what?”

Gideon took a few steps closer to her. “Kiratold me that you were thinking of moving away from Harmony Falls. She told me thatyou didn’t know when you were coming back and you were thinking of flying tothe west coast tomorrow and checking out California. She said I needed to gethere as soon as possible, and she was right. Baby, don’t leave Harmony Falls.Please, I’m begging you. I don’t want… why are you smiling?”

“I’m coming back to Harmony Falls on Mondaynight, Gideon. Kira knows that. She’s picking me up from the airport. I haveno current plans to visit California, let alone move there.”

“Oh my God,” Gideon said. “That little jerk.She lied to me to get me on the goddamn plane.”

“Looks like it,” Grace said.

Gideon grinned, and warmth blossomed in Grace’schest.

Stop it. You can’t be with him. He’shere asking for forgiveness because he’s a good guy who feels bad about hurtingyou. That’s all. He can’t give you his love, you know that.

“I love you, Gracie.”

“I know,” she said. “But that doesn’tchange -”

“You matter to me. You have alwaysmattered to me.” He moved closer and when Gracie didn’t back away, slipped hisarms around her waist. “I love you and you’re worthy of that love, Grace. Everybit of it. Your parents are idiots for not seeing how absolutely amazing youare. And I promise, if you give me the chance, I will show you how wrong theyare about you.”

“Gideon…”

Shit. She was gonna cry again.

“I can’t promise I won’t screw up or saystupid things or that my irrational fear that you’ll die will just disappear likethat. But I know that love with you is worth the worry and the fear. I’ll spendthe rest of our lives – no matter how short or how long that is – showing andproving to you that you’re worthy of love. I promise, Princess. I’ll dotherapy, I’ll try and be open about my feelings… whatever I have to do. Justgive me another chance, please. I can’t live without you.”

She stared at him, her love for him a tidalwave that threatened to drown her. Gideon had faced his biggest fear and flownon a plane for her. He loved her and wanted to be with her. They both hadissues, they both had demons in their past, but they would face them togetherand beat them. She knew it without a doubt.

“I love you too,” Grace said as tears slippeddown her cheeks. “I love you and I promise that I’ll do whatever it takes tomake this work, Gideon.”

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