Page 32 of When Love Comes Home

I didn’t even have the courage to face Katie last night—or this morning.

What am I going to say to her?Kissing you was a mistake?

But it wasn’t a mistake. I’d been dreaming of that moment since the first day I saw her at the house. She was furious, spitting fire, but she looked so damn beautiful.

All grown up.

A woman.

The hotel I’m staying in has a gym that closes at ten, so I change into shorts and lace up my running shoes. Maybe a few miles on the treadmill will clear my mind, but what I desperately need right now, no amount of miles is going to give me… courage. I pick up my phone and dial.

"Hello," she says, her sweet voice wrapping around me. In that moment, I realize that my love for her is the only courage I need to face my mentor, my friend, the closest thing I've ever known to a real father.

"I miss you," I say, unwilling to leave anything unsaid.

"I miss you too," she replies, and I can hear the smile in her voice. "Loren just left. She came over to find out what’s going on between us."

"Whatis going on between us, Katie?" I ask, my voice laced with hesitation.

"I don’t know," she admits. "I really wish you were here so we could talk."

"I'll be right there," I say, reaching for my keys.

"No," she interrupts softly. "Please... that’s over a three-hour drive. Please don’t come."

"I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye this morning," I say, the guilt stinging my chest. "I didn’t want to wake you."

"I waited for you last night," she says, "but I didn’t want to seem desperate, so I went to bed at ten."

I smile at the thought of her waiting for me. "Do you forgive me?" I ask, my voice filled with regret. "I’m sorry I’ve been acting so weird."

"Yeah, you’ve been quiet," she observes. "Do you regret what happened the other night?"

"No," I reply without hesitation. "Never."

"Good," she says, her tone lightening. "I don't regret it either. And to be honest, I can’t wait to do it again."

"I’ll be right over!" I exclaim, as a rush of excitement floods through me.

"No, no," she says, her voice soft but firm. "Just come home as soon as you can, okay?"

***

As busy as the last few days have been, they've felt long. I miss Katie like I miss breathing. Going from spending all day with her to not seeing her at all has only solidified how I feel about her—and I’m done denying it, to myself or anyone else.

Dinner at Aaron and Julie's every night has been a bit of a distraction, but even then, I can't stop talking about Katie.

At night, I look forward to heading back to the hotel and calling her before bed.

Business at Linder Realty has picked up since Katie started working there, and she’s been just as busy as I have. During our phone calls, we give each other a full rundown of our day, leaving nothing out.

"Dad’s ready to retire," she says tonight. "He hasn’t come out and said it directly, but he’s talking about long vacations more and more, which means I’ll be the one in charge."

"Are you okay with that?" I ask, knowing she’s more than capable of running the firm on her own.

"It’s a little daunting," she admits. "But I’ve learned so much working with Dad. It might not be easy, but I know I can do it."

"I know you can," I say. "I’ve seen you in action—running the office, handling buyers, sellers, and realtors. Jon must be so proud of you."

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