Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
DEREK
T he phone nearly cracks in my grip as I end the call with Marcus.The hundred-million-dollar deal I've spent six months building is falling apart.Our competitors made a counter-offer, and the board wants answers before Christmas.
"Three days in New York could save everything," Marcus had said."But if we lose momentum now..."
I slam my fist against the desk.Three days. That's all it would take to secure the deal of my career.But the thought of leaving Danny makes my chest physically ache.
Scout's bark from down the hall draws my attention to the light flurries falling outside.An idea forms, sharp and clear.Danny could come with me. Three days in Manhattan, then back for Christmas.A chance to prove I've changed, to show her how our worlds could merge.
The potential itinerary races through my mind as I stride toward her room.We could catch the early flight tomorrow, have lunch at that gallery café she always talked about wanting to try, and still make my two o'clock meeting.I'd only need a few hours each day to handle the critical negotiations.The rest of the time would be ours.
The door's open when I reach her room, but the moment I step inside, ice floods my veins.Danny stands rigid by the window, arms crossed, Scout pressed against her legs protectively.Her eyes are red-rimmed, and my heart sinks.Something's wrong.
"Hey." My voice comes out rough."I made breakfast."
"I heard." Ice drips from her words."Heard your phone call too. The great Derek Goodwin, rushing back to his real life."
"Danny, let me explain-"
"Explain what?" She whirls to face me, tears making her eyes bright."How you're running back to New York?How last night meant nothing?How stupid I am for thinking anything had changed?"
"That's not-"
"I'm such an idiot." Her laugh sounds like shattering glass."Jasmine swore you were different now.But here you are, choosing your precious career over everything else.Again."
"You couldn't be more wrong." I step closer, hands clenched to keep from reaching for her."I love you, Danny. With every fiber of my being.That's why I want you to come with me."
Her breath catches. "What?"
"Three days in New York. That's all this merger needs.We catch the first flight tomorrow, handle the deal, then come back here for Christmas." The words tumble out."I'm not choosing between you and work this time.I'm choosing us. Both of us, together."
"You can't just expect me to drop everything and follow you to New York," she protests, but there's a flicker of something in her eyes that I pray to God is hope.
"Why not?" I close the distance between us."Take a leap of faith with me.I'll show you my world, you can show me yours.There's this amazing gallery in Chelsea that would love your mountain series."
"It's not that simple."
"It can be." I reach for her hand, relief flooding me when she doesn't pull away."Your aunt was right about unexpected collaborations.This is our chance to create something new."
She trembles. "I'm scared."
"Me too. Terrified." I squeeze her fingers."But I'm more scared of losing you again.Come to New York. Let me prove this can work."
"And what happens after three days?" Her voice cracks."You go back to eighty-hour weeks and billion-dollar deals, and I go back to Utah?"
"No." I cup her face. "We figure it out together.Set boundaries. Make compromises.Find a way to blend both our dreams instead of sacrificing one for the other."
She searches my face. I let her see all the fear, love, and desperate need to get this right.All the emotions I usually hide beneath my confident facade.
"The flight leaves at six tomorrow morning," I saysoftly."We can drop Scout at Brandon's or Jasmine'stonight.They love him and would dog-sit in aheartbeat."
"And we'll really be back for ChristmasEve?"
"I promise." I brush my thumb across hercheek."The merger wraps upThursday.We'll be home Friday morning, with plenty of time to help your aunt burn anotherturkey."
A ghost of a smile touches herlips."I'll need to call the gallery, let them know I'll be working remotely for a fewdays."
Hope surges in my chest. "Is that ayes?"
"It's a maybe." But her arms slide around mywaist."If you stick me in some stuffy hotel room while you work eighteen-hour days-"
I cut her off with a kiss, lifting her off herfeet.She laughs against my mouth, and the sound fills every empty space in mychest.Scout barks, tail wagging as he circlesus.
"I love you," she admits, eyes searching mine.
"I love you too, Danny. So much it hurts," I murmur. "No moremistakes.No more choosing betweendreams."
"Three days," she says, but now it sounds like a promise instead of awarning.
"Three days," I agree. "Then we figure out the rest of ourlives."
She nods, and something in my chest finallysettles.This time will be different. This time, I'll get itright.
"I should pack," she says. "And callJasmine."
"I'll book the flights." I press a kiss to hertemple."And Danny? Thank you. For giving us anotherchance."
The merger may have forced my hand, but maybe that's exactly what weneeded.A push toward the future we were both too scared tochase.
This time, we'll face New Yorktogether.
And this time, I'm never lettinggo.