Chapter 38 #2
That must be what I’m feeling. The pit in my stomach that’s been there during each interview.
The lack of excitement I feel knowing I’ve secured my dream job.
As I stand alone in the elevator, I realize my father was right.
There’s only one person I wish were here right now.
One person I wish I could celebrate with.
I think back to my mother’s words as I exit the elevator.
Walking out of the lobby, I shove the papers into my purse, ignored by the blond woman sitting at the front desk still typing away on her cell phone.
My mother was right too. Love isn’t something you can plan.
It’s something you feel when the time is right.
When I push open the glass doors, making my way out onto the sidewalk, I’m met by the man I haven’t been able to get off my mind since I first met him in that diner all those months ago.
The man who I know with absolute certainty, I’ve fallen in love with.
Theo stands tall, leaning against his blue Mustang. I take note of the back bumper, where no sign of our accident is found.
As I approach Theo, he holds out a bouquet to me. The same bouquet from the night of our first date.
“Hi,” he says, smiling as I take the flowers from his hands. One inhale and I’m transported back to this summer. My own smile spreads across my face at the memories.
“What’re you doing here?” I ask.
“I thought you might want to celebrate getting an offer to work at your dream company.” He shrugs, as though it shouldn’t even be a question as to why he’s here.
“Oh, you just assume I got a job offer?” I raise an eyebrow at him in question. As people move past us on the sidewalk, I’m forced to stand closer to him. The only object separating us is the flowers in my hands.
“Of course you got a job offer. Not offering you a job would be a bad business decision. You’re too talented.”
I smile at him, but Graham’s words still haunt my mind as Theo stands before me. I know without a doubt that I’m in love with this man. If there’s even a sliver of a chance he loves me too, I can’t walk away from him without knowing for certain.
“Just a friend here to support another friend?” I ask, trying to gauge his reaction to my question.
His eyebrows furrow, his only response a slight nod of his head as he looks toward the flowers. It’s the reaction I need to continue.
“It’s interesting because Graham seemed to be under the impression that we were more than just friends.” My heart beats faster as I get the words out, testing the waters.
“What’d he say? Actually, let me go ask him myself. He always did have an issue with knowing when to keep his mouth shut.” Theo moves around me, taking a step toward the front doors, only to be stopped by the foot traffic in front of him.
I chuckle, grabbing his arm in an effort to stop him from creating more distance between the two of us. “I’d actually prefer you didn’t threaten my new boss after I just accepted a job offer.”
Theo turns toward me, that blinding smile spreading across his face as he throws his arms around my waist. He picks me up, and as he spins us around in a celebratory hug, some of the angelica from the bouquet in my hand flies off onto the ground.
I squeal at the sudden movements, and Theo’s laughter echoes in my ear.
The hug is a warm embrace, confirming my suspicions that this is what I was missing on my ride down in the elevator.
Setting me down gently on the sidewalk, he keeps his hands wrapped around my waist. “I knew you’d get the job. I’m so proud of you, Angel.” My breath hitches as he rests his forehead against mine, as though the physical connection between us gives him the strength he needs to ask his question.
“Friends is what you wanted, is it not?” he asks me.
“Only because it’s what you wanted.”
I’m holding my breath, waiting for his response, when he says, “Only an idiot would want to be just friends with you, Sienna Parker.”
As though his resolve snaps the moment my name releases from his lips, he pulls me in even closer, crashing our lips together. Immediately feeling at home, I melt into the kiss as our tongues collide. Only breaking apart when the flowers I’m holding tickle our cheeks as I try to pull him closer.
Theo’s smiling when he releases me from the kiss.
“I want to be worked into your plan. Any way you’ll have me.
Just work me in. This last month without you has been excruciating.
I’m sorry for everything. The only thing I regret more than walking away from you that night is not realizing sooner that I’ve fallen deeply, hopelessly in love with you, Sienna Parker.
If I had known then, I never would’ve let you leave. ”
With my free hand, I cup his cheek, staring into those beautiful green eyes as tears begin to spring from mine. “I never would’ve left if I knew then that I was deeply, hopelessly in love with you, Theo Kane.”
He pulls me in for another kiss, but I cut it short as I continue, “I don’t want a plan. You’ve shown me that even when things don’t go according to plan, it doesn’t always mean it’s bad. Sometimes the things we don’t plan for are the best things that could ever happen to us.”
He chuckles. “Then I propose an idea. One year. Let’s plan for one year together. No more, no less.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.” With another kiss, the morning melts away as I’m held in the arms of the man who I love.