Page 107 of Up All Night

“I didn’t want to miss your big night,” I said as we continued to stare into each other’s eyes. “All of your dances were amazing, but that last dance had the whole audience in tears. Including me.”

She broke our eye contact and looked out at the empty seats before returning her gaze to mine. “It was a dance from my heart.”

I slowly reached for her hand, intertwining my fingers with hers, happy she had let me. “It felt like it was from my heart, too.” Lifting my other hand, I reached up and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Except the dance ended too soon.”

Her brows pulled together in confusion.

I looked out toward the control booth. “Hit it, Mike,” I called out.

Halle looked even more confused now.

The lights changed, casting a pink glow across the stage where we stood. Music began to play out of the speakers, a soft steady rhythm.

“Yes, the boy walks off the stage,” I said as I pulled her hand up and out to the side, placing my other hand on her low back, pulling her close, her hand landing on my shoulder as we started to move to the music. “But it doesn’t take him long to realize that walking away from the girl is the biggest mistake of his life. He comes back on the stage, so grateful the girl is there, hoping she’ll give him another chance. A chance to prove he wants to do whatever it takes to be with her.”

The words of the song sing out across the room as we sway to the slow beat.

I’d climb every mountain

And swim every ocean

Just to be with you

And fix what I’ve broken

Oh, ’cause I need you to see

That you are the reason

Halle’s eyes glistened, and I was sure that mine matched.

“I love this song,” she said, her voice soft.

My lips tipped up in a smile. “It’s exactly how I feel about you.” I took a deep breath, ready to finally apologize. “Halle, I was an idiot. I let my work, work I haven’t even liked doing lately, come before the one person who made me feel more alive and happier than I’ve ever been. I don’t want to work myself to death anymore. I want to have a life again, one outside of work, one that involves you, if you’ll have me.”

“What about your dad? What about taking over Vanderhall Capital?” She seemed so confused and caught off-guard by my quick turnaround, and I didn’t blame her.

“After spending a miserable week without you, I went to my dad’s office and told him I wasn’t happy anymore,” I explained. “I told him I didn’t want to work so much that I couldn't enjoy my life and spend time with the people I care about.”

The look of surprise on her face was understandable. “And what did he say?”

“He apologized. Said he was sorry I’d ever felt like I wasn’t good enough to run the company and that he knew I was the best man for the job. Then he told me I could take a couple of days off, and when I go back to work, we’ll talk about what I want my new work schedule to look like.”

“That’s amazing,” she said with a full smile. “I’m so happy for you, West.”

I dropped her hand and wrapped both my arms around her waist, holding her close. “Halle, I’m so sorry I messed everything up.” I kept my gaze locked on hers, hoping it would help convey my genuine feelings. “I’m sorry it took me this long to figure out how much I need you—want you—in my life. You’re the first thing I think about when I wake up and the last thing I think about when I go to sleep.”

“Is that because I’m being too loud?” she interrupted with a teasing grin.

Chuckling, I said, “Yes and no.”

She let her hands move along my shoulders and up around my neck, bringing us closer.

Needing to apologize for one more thing, I added, “And I’m sorry I offered to be an investor in your company. I’m sure the offer made it seem like I didn’t think you could do it on your own. I was just so excited about how you’re making your dream come true, that I wanted to do it with you, not for you.”

She seemed to melt into me now, and I never wanted to go a day without her in my arms.

“West, I’m sorry I projected my own insecurities and fears into our relationship. I think I subconsciously thought that if we never got together, we would never break up, meaning I’d never get hurt.” She paused, her eyes roaming my face before connecting our gazes again. “But I learned that being without you might hurt even more.”

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