Page 73 of The Deal Maker

“Yes.”

She walks closer, and I’m not sure what she’s about to say. I can normally read her expression, but right now she’s doing a great job of hiding what she’s feeling.

“I like you too, Duke Jacobson.”

I’m excited about that, until a thought pops into my mind. “Would you like me if I still sold timeshares?”

She gives me a light chuckle before saying, “It’s pretty hard to not like someone for who they are on the inside. You’ve shownme that just because you try something, it doesn’t always mean it’s going to change you completely. And from the few times I saw you interacting with your customers, I knew you weren’t like the guys who swindled my grandma.”

I laugh a bit. “Good to know.”

We wait to get the discharge papers. Maggie calls my mom with my phone to let her know what happened, and they stay on the phone for at least ten minutes.

Once I’m free to go, I reach out my hand and intertwine my fingers with hers. Nothing in my life has felt as right as this moment does.

“Any other allergies I should know about?” Maggie asks, giving me a more somber look.

“None that I can think of.”

“Good, because I like most surprises, but when I thought I was going to lose you because of a salad, well, I don’t want to go through that again.”

“You were worried about losing me?” I say with a silly grin.

“Maybe,” Maggie says.

I stop her just outside the hospital. There aren’t many people out right now and while this isn’t the most romantic place for a first kiss, I’ve been dying to show her my gratitude for saving my life.

I reach up and cup her face in my hands, pulling her close to me. When our lips brush, it’s like a spark that begins a wildfire, spreading throughout my body. She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me closer, deepening the kiss.

Could this have been a dream? Then again, would I have had an allergic reaction in my dream? I would hope not.

We’re like that for a few more moments, until we get some catcalls and pull apart.

Her face is flushed and I can’t stop grinning.

“So, Dean, I have a very important question for you,” I say.

There’s a flicker of panic in her eyes and then she says, “Okay. What is it?”

“We’ve been through a lot in the past few weeks. You’re one of the most creative people I know, even though you claim to not have those abilities. You’re adventurous and fun. And I would love nothing more than if you’d be my girlfriend.”

She doesn’t say anything for a long moment, and I’m panicking. Maybe after the first kiss was too soon to make that leap?

“Duke, I was snappy and not always the best version of myself around you. I even tried to hide from you on a few occasions. But you’ve taught me a lot about life and having a dream, even if it isn’t perfect. Thank you for that.”

She leans up to kiss me again and while I would be okay if we just kept kissing, I also would love an answer to my question about leveling up our relationship.

I pull back, trying to ask the question again with my expression, because I don’t think I can speak until I hear what she says.

“Oh, yeah. Of course I’ll be your girlfriend.”

I pick her up and spin her around, before settling down for another kiss. Now I get the appeal of the PDA thing between my friends and their girlfriends.

“What do you say we go get some food at Witty’s Diner? I hear they have enough syrup to float a boat.”

Maggie gives me a fake frown before slugging me on the shoulder again. “Syrup is the key to good pancakes.”

“I don’t disagree.”

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