Page 150 of All Too Well
My eyes widen. “But Rose.”
She was his biggest worry, and I understand that he needs to put her first.
“Rose loves you too. We both do, and I think that love is what matters, don’t you?” His right hand cups my cheek. “I think that you matter, we matter, and I choose you, however I can have you. If it means we fly back and forth until we figure out what’s next, then that’s what we do, but we make that decision together. I’m not making choices for you, and you’re not for me. I never want to take things from you, sweetheart. I just want to give you the world, whatever I can. I want to make plans, build a life together. I want you. No, I need you, Ainsley.”
A tear falls down my cheek. “That’s good, because I quit my job.”
“You what?”
“I quit today. That’s why I have that box. See, I wasn’t going to let you choose to be done with me. I’m not done. We’re not done. I love you, and I do not want to be in this city if it means I can’t have you.”
Lachlan pulls me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. “Call them and get your job back. I’ll move. I’ll find a way to make this work. Please, baby. I need you to have all your dreams.”
I shake my head. “That’s the thing. They wouldn’t let me quit.”
“No?”
“No. The owner came because he read my article, and he told me I shouldn’t have to choose between them when there’s internet in Ember Falls. I’m going to be able to keep my job and move.”
He smiles, cupping my face. “You’re serious?”
“Yes, I know we’re extremely new to dating, but I’d like to move to Ember Falls. I can look for a place close by?—”
He cuts me off by sealing his mouth to mine. “Ainsley MacKinley, you’ll live with me.”
I hoped he’d say that. “You’re sure? It’s really quick and ... Rose.”
“Rose is the one who told me I better come get you and bring you home.”
I smile. “She did?”
“We talked. I told her that I loved you and wanted you to come back. She was very happy when I told her I was coming here to win you over.”
My hand rests on his chest, and I stare up into his beautiful eyes. “We haven’t been together long. I don’t want it to feel too sudden.”
“Is it? I feel like we’ve been dancing around a relationship for a really long time.”
“I know I’ve been in love with you for most of my life, but this is different.”
Lachlan closes his eyes and rests his forehead on mine. “Live with me. Please.”
How the hell could I ever say no to that? “I would love to.”
He lifts his head and kisses me softly. “You’re going to be okay leaving this place?” he asks with a little shake in his voice.
“I know all too well what it feels like to live without you, Lachlan, and I don’t want to ever do it again. I’ll live in a cardboard box as long as it means I’m with you.”
“Then let’s go home.”
But before we do, we kiss, and he makes love to me on the floor of the apartment.
thirty-two
Lachlan
“Ainsley!” Rose yells as she runs off the porch toward us.
“Rose!”
