Page 97 of Where We Bloom

“You always have a choice. I apologize if I overstepped.”

I move to pull away, but she wraps her arms around my neck and pushes her face against my skin, holding on tight.

“Don’t pull away from me,” she says, her arms tightening. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then I need you to tell me what you meant.”

“I just … ofcourse, I want to go. I don’t want to be away from you, either.”

“Spell it out for me, angel.”

“I told you before that I’m not good at taking orders, and I’m a brat. My mouth ruins things when I’m nervous.”

Now, my arms circle her, and she relaxes against me.

“Why are you nervous,mo rúnsearc?”

“Because …” She sighs. “Because this feels like a big deal.”

“It’s a trip. It’s not brain surgery. We’re not buying and selling countries. We’re not curing diseases or ending world hunger.”

“No, but between talks of me moving in with you and this vacation you want to take me on, it’s a lot. And for a minute, it made me feel like decisions are being madeforme rather thanwithme.”

“Ah, there it is.” I kiss her cheek, then tug her back to kiss her lips. “You just have to tell me that, angel. Just talk to me. But you need to know, I’m an overbearing man who gets what he wants, and what I want is you.”

She bites her lip once more. “Okay, overbearing man, I need a shower, and then I need to work because my super bossy and generous boyfriend is taking me on a trip.”

Boyfriend.

Oh, bumble, we can do better than that.

But rather than argue, I nudge her out of my lap, then take us to the bathroom to clean up.

We have plans to make.

Chapter Eighteen

BILLIE

“Ready?”

I feel frazzled, but I let out a breath, staring at my side of this massive closet, and hope that I remembered everything for this trip.

“I hope so,” I reply. “What if I forgot something? What if the outfits I chose aren’t what I really want to wear?”

Connor wraps me in his arms from behind and kisses the top of my head.

“Then we’ll get whatever you need when we’re there.”

“I feel a little unorganized.” I fidget with the shamrock necklace at my throat.

No moving boxes remain after the whirlwind move into Connor’s house earlier this week. The movers came to my house Monday morning. I pointed out everything that had to come with me right away, and we’ll get the rest when we return from this trip.

I managed to unpack my clothes and bathroom stuff Monday night. Everything else is in boxes stashed in a guest room for now until I have time to deal with it.

“Breathe, angel.”

I lean against him and take a long breath. He’s so warm, so solid behind me that he soothes me. “It’s been a crazy week.”

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