Page 66 of Love to Hate You

“After bringing on a really big client last summer, your dad forced me to take a day off. I ended up leaving the city and rode the ferry around. I stumbled across this little island called East Bay and spent the day there. I’m not sure what it was, but the place was magical. Especially the lighthouse. I could sit there on the beach all day and look at it with the waves rolling in and out.”

“You haven’t been back since?”

I shake my head. “No, but I’d like to return. There was something really peaceful and calm about it. I don’t know how to describe it. It just felt soothing.”

That’s where she is. My gut tells me to go, and I glance down at my watch. It’s getting to be late afternoon and by the time I catch the ferry and get out there, it’ll be almost evening.Shit.It’s a chance I have to take.

I haul ass to the ferry and hope to God, I make it out there before she leaves. When we finally cruise up to the dock on East Bay Island, I hurry off the boat and realize the only thing I know is she liked the lighthouse here. Without any other clue to go on, I stop the first person I see and ask for directions to the lighthouse.

Almost 15 minutes later, my feet hit the sand and I start walking toward the distant lighthouse. About halfway there, I see her. My anxiety skyrockets and I reach into my pocket and wrap my hand around the small velvet box. Charlie faces the ocean, wind blowing through her loose, honey-blonde hair and her arms are crossed, pulling her jacket tighter to keep her warm.

She’s never looked more free or beautiful. Utterly wild and untouchable.

My heart thuds as I make my way closer, and I can feel the weight of the ring growing heavier. As I walk up behind her, she turns her head slightly, not at all concerned or surprised. It’s as though she knows it’s me.

“I was hoping you’d be here,” I say.

22

CHARLIE

“You found me,” I say. It’s strange because Nash is the last person, I expect to walk up behind me here. At the same time, I knew it was him in a heartbeat. I’m not sure why he came all the way out here and he skirts around me, his back to the ocean.

“Charlie…” he says, his voice trailing off. “I don’t know where to begin except with sorry. I’m sorry for being an idiot. I’m sorry for believing rumors and not trusting you. I’m sorry for the things I said and didn’t mean. I’m sorry for putting you in a position where you had to make probably the hardest decision of your life– and I wasn’t there to support you.”

Nash pauses to take a breath as I’m trying to decide if I should let him go on or put him out of his misery. I arch a brow and figure I’ll let him talk for a bit longer before I let him off the hook because there’s no doubt in my mind that I will accept his apology.

He swipes a hand through his hair. “When I came back to TB Tech and found out you were in charge, I was angry and ready to take you down. What can I say? I was an asshole. I’m not sure what exactly happened between us, but goddammit, Charlie, we are so good together. Whether we’re in the boardroom or the bedroom, I’ve never been so in sync with another woman like I am when I’m with you. Together, I think we could take on the whole fucking world.” His cobalt eyes flash regret. “I know I fucked up but I’ve had time to think and the only thing I want is you, baby. I don’t care about the company, the position, the board. I’ll give it all up and walk away. If you want TB Tech, you can have it.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t believe Nash would hand the reins back over to me and I’m not sure how to respond for a stunned moment. “You would do that?” I finally manage to say.

“It’s a small price to pay if you’ll give me another chance.”

“What kind of chance? Tell me exactly what you want, Nash, because I don’t want to play guessing games anymore. I need to know where your head and your heart are.”

“My head and heart are on the same page– completely fixated on you. I want you to know that if you’re mine, I will always have your back. I will choose you first every time, Charlie. Not a job or a meeting or a client. You.”

His words make my heart soar with hope. “So, if I ask you to leave TB Tech-”

“I’ll tender my resignation today,” he says.

“I wouldn’t ask you to do that, Nash,” I tell him.

His mouth edges up in that charming smile that makes my stomach flip flop. “Good. Because I was kind of hoping you’d come back and maybe run it with me?”

“With you?”

He nods. “You and me, co-Presidents. You know how well we work together, and we could take that place to the very top. What do you say?”

I consider his words and try not to let his adorable smile influence me. But, of course, it does. At least a little. “It’s a tempting offer but one of the reasons I stepped away was because I couldn’t give the job 100 percent of my attention anymore. Not with a baby coming.”

“Charlie, you gave that job one million percent every day for years. You’ve earned some time off. Besides, with both of us running things, there won’t be so much pressure. We’ll be there to support each other, and you can run at whatever percent you want.”

A part of me really wants to accept his offer. As I’m weighing the pros and cons, he reaches for my hand.

“That’s not the only proposition I have for you.”

“What do you mean?”

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