Page 69 of More Than a Blind Date

Richard complains as he preps my purchase, cursing once when he gets pricked by a thorn.

After paying him, I race to my truck and drive to the lingerie store.

Rose must be working there. That’s why she ran inside the other day.

But her car isn’t in the lot. She isn’t even parked behind the building. So I drive to her house.

Her car is in the driveway.

I knock, wait two seconds, and knock again. I plan to repeat that over and over until someone opens this door.

CHAPTER 29

ROSE

Iyank open the door. “What?” I can’t let my walls down with Dallas because I’ll throw myself into his arms, and that would be an awful idea. I step back, planning to close the door. But he’s holding a single red rose. And it isn’t from a gas station.

He presses a hand to the wood, holding the door open. “Please, Rose. Give me two minutes.”

I cross my arms. “I’m not going to beg you to love me.” I didn’t mean to say those words out loud, but it’s too late now.

He leans in for a kiss, and I stop that with a hand to his chest.

“No. This is not a time for kissing. You say whatever it is you came to say, then if I like it, we can talk more. And maybe kiss. Maybe. But words come first. You have two minutes.” My insides are like jelly, but outside, I’m like a superhero with a force field.

“This is for you.” He hands over the rose without taking his hand off the door. “I was wrong and stupid, and I’m sorry.”

“I like those words. I’ll add an extra two minutes.”

“I came by last night to say all this, but you weren’t here.”

I bite my bottom lip, debating how honest I should be. “I was here. I just didn’t answer. My car fits in the garage.”

A smile plays on his lips. “First, I’ll say what I wanted to say last night. Then I’ll say a bit more.”

“Okay.” I hope he can’t tell that I’m shaking.

“Richard told me about the ultimatum during the reception. And I wanted you to run that store, but more than that, I wanted to protect myself. So I selfishly ended things after the wedding. I couldn’t bear the idea of you not choosing me.” He searches my face for a reaction.

I blink away the mist. “Well?—”

He leans in close. “I haven’t been faking for months. My plan was to pour out my heart the day after the wedding. But I chickened out. I should’ve been brave and trusted you. Because I know you haven’t been faking either.”

I swallow. “That’s what you came to say?”

“Most of it. But there is one thing I haven’t said yet.”

“What?” I hold my breath, waiting for his answer.

“I love you, Zuzu. I don’t want to live my life without you. You are like sunshine to my grumpy soul. You make me brave enough to expose my teddy bear side.”

Tears spill down my cheeks. “Oh, Dallas, I love you too.”

With one hand still holding open the door, he wraps his other arm around my waist as his lips meet mine. I hug his neck and press in closer.

He tightens his arm around me and lifts.

In the movies, ladies always kick up one foot when kissing. I kick up both my feet. And Dallas carries me inside.

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