Page 40 of The One Who Got Away
“They’re not?”
“What is going on, Gus?” She wrapped an arm around my back burrowing against my side.
“I’d go with you, if you wanted to go back to Chicago.”
“What?”
My mom looked from me to Gus. “I’m going to let you two talk. My friend Lucy wanted to get a coffee. She’s going to help me get rid of some of this stuff.”
“Do you need help?” I followed her out of the kitchen.
“Nope. You two talk. I’ll be back.” She hefted a box full of books and hurried down the hall. “See you guys later.”
I shoved my hands into my pockets.
“What the heck is going on, Gus?”
I swallowed. “I just wanted to let you know if you needed to go back to your old job, I...” I trailed off. What?
I could scare her getting so intense already.
Fuck it.
“I don’t want you to go anywhere without me.”
She moved in front of me and lightly placed her hands on my chest. “Gus, I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’m working on an indie game. So, if anything, you have to deal with a crazy girlfriend who might fall on her face.”
Girlfriend.
My heart hammered at the word.
“I’ll catch you.” I hugged her closer to me. “Not that you’re going to fall or fail.”
She slid her hands up until she linked her fingers behind my neck. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, but what brought this on?”
I lowered my mouth to hers for a kiss first. I needed to taste her right then. She drew in a breath and fell into the kiss with me. I tightened my hold soaking in her scent and taste.
“Gus, what is going on?”
“You said your mom was going to sell.”
She frowned, then her face cleared. “Oh. Ohhh.” She went on her toes and held onto me. “No. She just wants to start over.” She pulled back, then hugged me again. “You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
I crushed her to me and lifted her off her feet. “Never again, El.” I twirled her around then set her down. “I love you.”
Her tiger eyes filled. “What?”
“As if that’s a surprise. I’ve loved you all my life.”
She cupped my face. “Angus Murdock, you crazy, wonderful, beautiful man. I love you, too.”
“Good.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Really good.”
She drew me forward and out of the kitchen to the stairs. “Want to have wild, crazy sex in my childhood room before we rip the posters off the wall?”
I grinned. “What kind of posters?”
She laughed. “Are you okay with Taylor Swift judging your technique?”
