Page 60 of Playing A Risk
My eyes have adjusted to the dim lights so I can make out her expression. It’s gentle and welcoming.
She’s my Christmas angel.
I love her so deeply. The feeling rocks me to my core.
“I enjoy having you here, beauty. It feels like you belong, and that scares the shit out of me. All you have to do is walk out that door and choose him over me again and my world shatters.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You don’t need to say anything. I told you before, I’ll take you as a friend, but I’ll never stop loving you. Even if you break me in half, I’ll always love you.”
“Hunter…”
“Now that Jonah and my dad are behind me, I can’t stop hoping I get another chance with you. I see what the future could be like. Every day the image gets clearer, and it’s fantastic.”
I draw in a much-needed breath. “But it has me feelingmore than vulnerable. So if you’re picking up on anything, that’s likely it.”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and stares at our hands as the flickering lights take turns painting her skin different colors.
She centers herself and gazes in my direction. “It means a lot that you told Jonah and your dad about your feelings for me. It makes me feel like you’re proud of me. It’s scary, but I trust you to make sure they don’t take me to the board.”
“They won’t. They’re helping me with your clause. My dad thinks we should take it to the board as soon as the app launches. He doesn’t want to do it before because everyone’s already on edge about the success of this project. Throwing that into the mix could create undue chaos.”
“Agreed. The timing has to be right.”
I sit with that. This is the most calm and open to the idea she’s ever been. Hopefully, that means she’s considering giving us another shot.
My chest tightens, so I shift to get some relief. “Have you considered contacting Jamison and talking with him? It might help to hear him out.”
She stiffens. “No. I’m not ready. I want to understand how I feel about the situation before he floods my mind with excuses, which will only confuse me more. The clearer I am about what I want, the better it’ll be for everyone involved, you included.”
“I said I’d support you in your decision. If that’s what you want and need, I won’t push you into it.”
Because if I do, it could change everything.
“Thanks.”
“Anything for you, beauty, but if you change your mind, I’ll support that as well.”
She gazes at the tree. “I know, and if I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
“One more thing before I send you off to bed.”
“What’s that?” A green illumination from the Christmas lights catches her eyes, and for a second, they glow.
She takes my breath away. She fucking owns me from here on out. I laugh to myself. She’s owned me since I laid eyes on her.
“My dad wants to extend an invitation for you to join us for Christmas dinner. Melanie’s welcome as well. If you want to talk to her about it tomorrow, that’s fine. But I’d love for you to say yes now. I’ll sleep better having an answer.”
Her smile appears in seconds. “In that case, yes. I’d love to go to dinner with your family. It’s quite the honor.”
My heart tightens, aching to take her in my arms. But I hold back. It’s her move to make. Not mine.
I get to my feet and peer down at her. “You might rethink that once the night’s over.”
“Why’s that?”
“You discovered a side of Jonah tonight you didn’t know existed. You’ll discover a lot more spending time with us when we’re not in a work environment.”
