Page 96 of The Dating Dare

“You’re wrong, you know.” Seth wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. Her hands came to rest on his arms. “I wouldn’t be giving up my dream to stay with you in Weldon. Photography isn’t my dream. Art has always been my dream. I’d just lost my way for a while.”

“But what about your job here?” she whispered.

“I respectfully declined the position.”

“So you haven’t worked a day at your new job?”

“Nope.”

She broke away from his embrace and spun to face him. “Then what are you doing here in Paris?”

He pulled her into his arms because he couldn’t stand to be apart from her. “I’ve been working on my art. I wanted to create something that will show you that this really is my dream. Once I had something worthy, I would’ve gone back to Weldon to convince you that we’re meant to be together. But you came here first.”

“And you don’t think any of these are worthy?” She stared at him slack-jawed.

He shrugged. “For you, I don’t know if anything ever will be.”

“Then it’s a good thing I came. Who knows how long I would’ve been waiting for you to create your masterpiece?”

“I wouldn’t have lasted much longer. Staying away from you was torture.”

“Seth, all of this”—she leaned back to glance at every wall—“they are all amazing. You are amazing, and I’m so glad you finally found your way back to your art.”

“What would you have done if I was happily working at my new job?” He led her to his bed, and they sat side by side with their backs against the wall.

“I don’t know. All I knew was that I had to tell you that I love you, and find out if you still loved me. Then, we would’ve worked everything else out. We might’ve tried the long-distance thing for a while. Then I might’ve taken a sabbatical from the brewery and come stay with you for a year. I don’t know, but we would’ve found a way to be with each other.”

“We’ll always find a way.” And because he couldn’t stop himself, he leaned down to kiss her softly.

“So what’s next?” she said against his lips.

“How long can you stay?” He dropped kisses along her jaw.

“I was going to stay as long as necessary to win you back,” she confessed.

He found her mouth again and kissed her hard. “And now that you’ve won me back?”

“I don’t plan on letting you out of my sight for a while,” she said, her hand caressing his face. “I’ll stay here with you until you’re ready to go home with me.”

“Good. Then there’s time for me to take you on our fourth date. You haven’t forgotten we have one date left, right?”

“Forgotten? No way. When you left Weldon early, I was furious. A deal is a deal.”

“Yes, it is.” He laughed, rubbing the tip of his nose against hers. “I still can’t believe that you’re really here.”

“Oh, I’m here all right.” This time she kissed him until he became light-headed. “Do you believe it now?”

“Yes,” he said. “And you really love me?”

“With all my heart,” she said without hesitation.

“I love you, Tara Park.” His heart was so full of happiness, he was surprised he wasn’t floating on air.

“That’s what I like to hear.” A single tear slid down her cheek. “Never stop telling me.”

“I love you. I love you. I love you.” He punctuated everyI love youwith a kiss, then let his kisses show her how much he loved her. That he was hers. Forever.

EPILOGUE

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