Page 139 of Valentine Nook
I spin around to the driver, now back in the car. “You heard someone answer too, right?”
He shrugs in response.
I’m about to try a third time when the lock spins and the door opens wide.
Standing in front of me is the woman I love with my whole heart, the one I know I want to spend the rest of my life with, wherever that will be. I’ll follow her anywhere.
Except she’s looking at me like she’s seen a ghost.
“Lando? What are you doing here?”
I’m too busy staring to be able to form words. All the words I rehearsed on the flight over have vanished.
“Lando?”
“I’m miserable,” I blurt. “I can’t even last a week without you.”
Her hands fly to her mouth, and she lets out a loud sob, which I take as a good sign, so I continue.
“I’ve been trying to figure out a way for us to be together, and I came up with a pretty good solution, but then I heard a rumor that perhaps you might be coming to the West End. So before we go any further, I want to double-check you know the West End is in London, and there’s not another West End somewhere in America.”
“You flew here to check I knew where the West End is?” she asks quietly from behind her palm.
I nod. “Yes.”
“How did you know?”
“Miles saw one of your chat shows and showed me,” I reply. “Is it true, you’re not going to New York? I don’t have to set up headquarters there because you’re coming to London?”
“I changed my mind.” She shrugs, and her hands fall to her side. When she smiles at me, it’s like I can take a full breath again and she’s the one administering oxygen to me. “I heard London is the place to be, and you know, there’s someone over there I kind of like.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah.” She smiles. “Super tall, long legs, black hair. Answers to the name of Thunder.”
A smirk curves my lips. “He will be pleased to hear that. I think he’s missed you nearly as much as I have. Everyone’s missed you nearly as much as I have. I’ve missed you the most.”
This time, her shoulder drops low. “Not as much as I’ve missed you,” she replies. “I’m so sorry, Gracie. I’m so sorry for what I put you through the last week, and for leaving and not believing in us. It just made me realize how much I love you and how miserable I am without you.” She trails off into a sob.
“I’m here because I believed enough for both of us.” I swipe away a tear. “Does this mean we can go home? Because I can’t leave empty-handed. I’ll be strung up and hung from the Valentine Arch for returning without you.”
“Well, as it happens, another interview was added to my schedule. One of your London chat shows, so if you’ve got a spot on the plane, I could do with a ride.”
“Even if I didn’t, I’d kick people off for you.”
When she giggles, I smile. I’ve so missed that incredible sound.
“I was hoping, if you’ll still have me, I could come back to Bluebell once the award season is over.”
I shake my head. “Bluebell won’t be available, I’m afraid. It’s no longer up for rental.”
I pause, and Holiday’s smile freezes. I can see her brain working overtime already.
“You’ll have to come to Burlington, if that’s suitable for an A-lister of your caliber.”
Her mouth drops. “Burlington? Really? You’re asking me to move in with you?”
I nod. “I am. If you’re going to be working all hours, I want to make sure the ones you have for me aren’t hampered by traveling.”
