CATHERINE
Dreams.They are a funny thing. When I failed to make a bid on the Legendary to allow Hunter to proceed with his dream, a tiny part of me was disappointed. I know I don’t need the Legendary to achieve what I need, but the emotional connection to the property is strong.
A small blip in the back of my head asked me what the perfect scenario would be. It would look just like what Hunter has laid out in front of me. The two of us pairing up as partners, equals, conquering this world together. But I didn’t believe in the dream. I didn’t feel he would see me as an equal. He’s a Farro. He has the money, the resources, and the business knowledge to do this on his own. That’s the reason he came out here in the first place.
A man like that would never see my worth.
But he does.
First Mr. Franklin, dropping everything to come to Mesa to meet with me on a moment’s notice because he saw in me someone, he could trust the business with.
Then Candice and Mia. Believing in me to the point that they worked overnight on a weekend to find investors who threw their money blindly, the only thing they needed to know was it was going to me. Me!
And now Hunter. Handsome Hunter, standing in front of me having ripped up his dream with nothing more than a prayer and trusting that he and I could work together to build a new one together.
The world has delivered all this beauty to my doorstep, and it comes down to me. My head forces me to pause. It’s wanting to over analyze, pick apart every option. Turn it upside down and reassemble it four different ways. But it’s an unnecessary step.
I exhale and trust my instincts.
“I’d love to be your partner, Hunter. Your business partner, your life partner, your everything partner.”
I watch as the nervous twitch of his lips transforms into a joy unimagined. Water races to his eyes as he leans forward wrapping his arms around me, lifting me off the floor.
We spin together, a lightness and freedom I haven’t felt since we first kissed days ago. Hands on his shoulders to steady us, I lean down and press my lips to his. The soft goodness causing my entire body to melt. He loosens his arms and I slide down, bodies pressed together, my arms wrapping around his shoulders.
Our lips remain locked as he tips me back on the dance floor, a mirror image of Carlos and Ava nearly in this same spots hours ago. “You are my dream, Catherine.” He pushes out the words through bated breath. Words that hit me center chest – my heart.
I’ve been chasing my dream for so long that it took me a minute to realize I’ve captured it. “You are what I need, Hunter. I’m so happy we’ve found each other.”
Lips parted, tongues swirling, we kiss like never before. This kiss is different than any other we’ve shared. It’s not fake, it’s hopeful. It’s full of love, joy, and a future. It’s a kiss filled with tomorrows and a future we can’t wait to get started with.
It may have taken me a long time to figure it all out, but I have it now. It’s the right time, it’s the right place, and he’s the right guy.