Page 72 of Catch and Release Groom

Or was her TV-and-sugar coma causing her to see things? She wanted to touch him and confirm for herself he was real, but if he popped, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to pick herself up—not again.

“Imogen.” He said her name like a plea, one she longed to answer.

She glanced out into the hallway, as if there’d be additional clues. “What are you doing here?”

“We thought it’d be better to surprise you. Actually, I was told as much, even though I had my doubts. But I figured it does me no good to call in the cavalry if I’m not going to listen to them, and their way meant seeing you in person, so…”

Again, Imogen looked around him. The only new detail that stood out was the roller suitcase at his side.“We?”

“Constance and Margot. And Mallory—we looped her in last minute.”

Imogen’s stomach bottomed out, joining her mangled heart. “Oh no, what did they tell you? Did they say I’m not okay, because I am—you know how they exaggerate. Sure, I was disappointed and sad at first, and I wish we’d ended on better terms, but I’m fine, really. Like, completely over it.” She lifted her chin, doing her best to fake it, in defiance of what the couple, who’d clearly meddled, had opined.

“Well, that’s a fucking bummer.” Easton gripped the top of the doorframe and leaned in, far enough to emphasize the bulge of his biceps and kickstart her pulse rate. “I came all this way to apologize.”

A dangerous amount of hope flooded her system, fueling her urge to throw her arms around him. Since she refused to beg another man to love her the way she deserved, she wrapped them around herself and rested a hip on the interior side of the frame. “Apologize?”

Electricity sizzled and arced in the miniscule space between them. “For not having the balls to tell you the truth or to stop you from leaving that day. I was too afraid that admitting I was falling for you would mean havin’ to let go of what I wanted. That I’d comethis closeto attaining the career of my dreams for the second time, only for you to insist I leave it and my small town behind. That’s my past bullshit, and I’m working on it, I swear…”

His amber eyes met hers, frank and imploring. “But after you left I realized my dream had changed without my permission.”

Ever so slowly, he stretched out his fingers, and Imogen held her breath as they made contact. A zing coursed up her arm, and dizziness set in as his palm cupped her cheek. “That what I most want is you.”

Imogen’s eyes fluttered closed, the words filling the cracks and mending the broken pieces of her soul.This is him! He’s the one!

And he came foryou!

Decades of habit bade her to stifle her rising tears and maintain her composure, but screw that. She, like most people, experienced emotions. Occasionally they overwhelmed her and clouded her judgment, but that didn’t make her less logical or sensible, or mean that emotions didn’t hold purpose or value.

She’d rather have the highs and lows than live the rest of her life as a rational robot who missed out on the best parts.

Like passion.

Inside jokes.

Aching with need.

Security.

Love.

So when her chin quivered and tears blurred her eyes, she let them be. “I might’ve overreacted about you going to help Grace. I know you don’t have it in you to deny anyone help, regardless of your past with them…”

“Shhh, no,” Easton said. “You were right. That was a messed-up situation to put you in.”

Imogen nodded and sniffed. “Again, I understand why you felt like you needed to go. But I’d just poured my heart out, and you were about to dash off without a single assurance, and…” Her breath shuddered, and a couple of tears trickled down her face.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” Easton lunged and pulled her into his arms, demonstrating how perfectly she fit against him. “I was scared of getting into another relationship and getting hurt again, and afraid that even if we attempted one, you’d eventually walk away, so I pushed you into doing just that.

“Admittedly, it did throw me for a loop that you’d called off your wedding.” He tucked her beneath one of his arms and used a thumb to wipe the saltwater trails from her cheeks. “But I’m damn glad you did. That guy was clearly wrong for you—for one thing, he’s not me.”

Gently, he clasped her chin and tipped her face to his. “Do you think you could find it in your heart to forgive me for taking so long to figure it out?”

Imogen nodded, locking eyes with him as she said, “Yes.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes,” she repeated again, her heart pitter-pattering.

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