Page 111 of Third Time is the Charm
“It’s fine, Col. It was a crazy night. It’s still hard to believe what happened, ” Beth trailed off as she walked over to Darcy who immediately enveloped her in his embrace, kissing the top of her head. “So, everything else with the ball went smoothly? John said he was pretty sure that none of the guests realized what was going on outside the room; I hope he was right…”
She saw the brief flash of sadness in his eyes, seeing the two of them together, but it quickly disappeared as he answered her.
“Nope – nobody knew. I got a few stares when the security and police came to talk to me, but I think everyone just assumed it was just because of the event and brushed it off. So, yeah… everything else went really smooth; Hannah and I held down the fort. You didn’t miss much.” The smile he flashed at her was interrupted by a new thought. “Actually, you did miss something…”
Beth furrowed her brow in confusion as Col trailed off and seemed to be looking at Darcy for his approval to tell her what it was. His look was confirmed when Beth felt Darcy’s head nod slightly above her.
What was going on? Since when was there something between them that didn’t involve her?
“What’s going on?” She blurted out before Colin could begin speaking again.
“Last night I officially announced that we will be opening a new cancer center in New York City.”
“What?!” Beth exclaimed, pulling out of Darcy’s embrace in her confusion and excitement. “What do you mean? I mean… I know this was in the plans, but I thought it was still a few years out before you could expand.”
“It was. Until Fitz Corp completely funded the project.” A brief smile crossed his face as he gave Darcy a look of thanks.
Beth felt her mouth fall open. She looked back and forth between the two of them for a moment, speechless.
“When? How?” she murmured. “Why?”
At her line of questions, Darcy took over the conversation.
“I contacted Colin after last weekend. It was one of the reasons I squared away the permit situation, so that he could put some focus into my offer,” Darcy began. Beth felt her mouth going dry.Was he trying to force her back to New York?His next words wiped those doubts from her mind. “I saw how much your work here means to you, Beth, and I want to support you and support your passion, but not in a controlling way. I didn’t do this to force you into anything.” His hand grabbed hers as he stared intently into her eyes. “I just wanted to be a part of this – for you. So, I called Colin and told him that Fitz Corp would contribute whatever funds are necessary to grow the Center to wherever he wanted – with no strings attached.”
Colin interjected. “There was one string: you can stay in Boston, Beth. I was told that I couldn’t just move you to New York, even though that is what we had discussed. His only request in the deal was that I let you decide where you want to work. So, the choice is yours. You will always be welcome to stay and work here in our headquarters or head up the New York clinic when it opens in a few months; the choice is yours.”
Beth could only stare at him.Her job… New York… Home.
“You don’t need to decide now. I know you’ve been through a lot in the past twenty-four hours and now I’m dumping all of this information on you; I just thought I’d share the good news.” Colin continued, seeing her stunned silence. “Like I said, it will be a few months until the clinic opens so you have plenty of time to decide. I will be happy with whatever choice you decide.”
“I… thank you. It’s incredible. I don’t even know what to say…” Beth’s words stumbled out.
“Alright, I think that’s my cue. Needless to say, I’ve got a lot of things to get rolling now, so I’ll leave you guys. I just wanted to check in on you and give you the news and my support.” He smiled again, walking over to hug her stunned form before turning to Darcy and extending his hand. “Thank you, again.” Darcy returned his smile and shook his hand firmly.
Beth didn’t move – couldn’t move – even after Colin left the room.
Darcy immediately stood in front of her grasping her hands in his. “Are you ok? Should I have asked? I just wanted it to be a surprise.” The concern that he’d overstepped was potent in his tone.
“No… No. I just can’t believe it.” Her eyes met his, watery with tears that were about to fall.
“I just wanted to support your dreams. But, I swear to you, Beth. There is no pressure,” he continued firmly. “Whether we stay up here or go back to New York - or anywhere else for that matter – I will make it work. The choice is completely yours.”
“Thank you,” she choked out. She didn’t know what else to say; there were no words. She stared at him – atherMr. Darcy – falling further in love with him than she thought possible. There were certain –delicious –parts of the old Darcy that still remained, butthiswas the real him – the one that he’d buried and locked away, the one he’d tried to keep from her. He’d finally let her in.
Beth stared into his gaze, letting herself be completely overwhelmed by the happiness that radiated throughout her body. She could take time to think about it, but in her heart, she knew that she – that they – belonged in New York. She’d always love Boston and everything that it had done for her, everything that it had given her, but New York was her family… her friends… her home.
She pulled his hand to her face and raising up onto her tiptoes said, “Let’s go home.”
A smile lit over his face as his mouth came within a breath of hers. “Ah, gorgeous, you are my home.” And then, gathering her into his arms, he kissed her, sealing his words deep inside of her.
“You were right,” he whispered against her lips.
“Why do you sound so surprised?” she replied softly in mock offense. “And about which part?”
His chest rumbled against her with his laugh. “The third time was the charm,” he explained. She moaned softly in agreement against his lips. “You know what this means, right?” His question echoed between them.
She bit her lip, shaking her head, her gaze eyed his lips craving more of his kiss.
