Page 55 of When I Found You

Careful not to startle her, I step forward and call her name. “Kate.”

She turns, and the last remaining hesitation falls away. I may not understand why she’s here or how, but it doesn’t matter. I love her and nothing can change that.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Katherine

I sense his presence. The snow creates a globe of silence encasing the observation deck. When he speaks my name, it’s almost as if he’s standing beside me whispering in my ear.

Apprehension coils around my heart protecting it. Coming here was selfish on my part. This is my spot. Dad’s spot. But now I know for certain, this is Arthur’s spot too. His love for this building is obvious. Perhaps that’s why I followed my heart when it led me here because I knew he would find me.

I turn and gasp at the sight of the bandage across his nose highlighted by the darkening bruises. He shortens the gap between us, and I reach out to gently brush the skin of his cheek below the bandage.

“I’m sorry, Arthur.” My apology is sincere, but the guilt lingers. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“It will heal.” His sad smile makes my heart ache. “Rob took care of it. Says it’ll be as good as it was before it was broken.”

“Oh, God.” I hang my head. “I broke it? I’m so sorry. I reacted on instinct.”

“Kate, it’s okay.” He tips my chin up. “I was worried about you.”

I tense at his touch unsure if this is a trap or if he’s sincere. “Because I’m crazy?”

He drops his hands and tucks them in his pockets but maintains our close proximity. “I didn’t say you were crazy.”

“You didn’t have to say it.” I exhale and a plume of steam engulfs us. “Don’t you think I know how insane my story sounds? Why do you think I lied? I had to. No one would believe me.” Tears sting my eyes. “I don’t belong here.”

“Do you want to go back?”

The question stops me, and I search his face for any signs of duplicity. I find only sincerity in the depths of his gaze. “No. Everyone I love is gone. They’re all here.” I laugh at how stupid it sounds. “But I’m not part of this world. I haven’t even been born yet. I’m a random piece of a second-hand puzzle that got tossed in the wrong box. I want to belong, but I don’t know how it would even be feasible.”

“There must be a reason this happened.”

“When you figure it out, let me know.” I scoff and narrow my gaze. “Are you saying you believe me?”

“The world is full of endless possibilities.” He shrugs one shoulder. “Who am I to question the will of the universe when it drops a beautiful and talented woman right on my doorstep?”

“You make me sound like I’m special.” I tease him, but his words ignite an ember of hope deep in my soul.

“You are special, Kate.” He brushes a snow crusted curl away from my face. “In two weeks, you’ve upended my life in the best way, and I was stupid to fight it. You challenge me and make me want to be better. I can’t imagine going forward without you by my side.”

His touch warms me and the ember sparks into a flame.

“I apologize for my reaction earlier, and if you’d rather stay with your parents...” He pauses as though still coming to terms with the concept of Victor and Nora being my parents, but pushes forward. “Then it’s fine with me. I’ll even help you find your own place, if you want to take things slow.”

“Thank you.” I cup his hand against my cheek.

“I love you, Kate.”

His confession steals my breath.

“I love you, and I don’t care if you came from another planet, let alone another millennium, I want you by my side from this moment forward.” Snow nearly covers his hair making him look like a sexy silver fox. His eyes shine with hope and desire.

I can’t imagine any place I’d rather be than right here, right now.

“When I found you, I had no idea what to expect. Last week, the thought terrified me, but as long as I have you, I’m ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.”

“Even if I refuse to give any spoilers for the future?” I grin.

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