Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85593 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I shook my head. “I don’t understand.” My voice was quiet. I did understand, of course, but it was all rushing around in circles and none of it was sinking in. “Why would you be willing to give me all of your shares?”
My family was watching all of this like a grand finale tennis match, eyes wide and mouths shut.
“Because you made me realize what actually matters. Fuck success. Fuck what I thought were my dreams of proving myself. None of it means anything if you’re not beside me. I’ll give it all up just for another chance with you.”
“Basil would’ve never said that,” Eloise whispered, almost to herself.
I was surprised to feel a tear roll down my cheek and splash warm against my hand. I wiped at my eyes, still shaking my head. “I don’t…”
“You don’t have to decide now. Just think it over. Oh, and there’s a fourth option. My lawyer said I didn’t need to draft up a document for it, though. The fourth option is you tell me to fuck off and never bother you again. I can’t promise I’ll listen, though. I’m crazy about you, Darcy. Absolutely fucking crazy. You made me better and I didn’t even realize it until you were gone. Every night I think about what an idiot I was for thinking I could get over you if I let you go. And now, here I am, ready to pay any price to undo my mistake.”
He nodded after a moment, then turned to leave. I was still standing there with the papers in my hand. It felt like I could hardly think, let alone speak. My mom chucked a crouton at my head. It doinked off me and landed on the paper. I looked at her, stunned.
“Go get him!” She mouthed, pointing frantically toward Dominic, who was already at the door.
I dropped the papers. I didn’t need to think. I just wanted to feel him hold me again.
“Dominic!” I shouted, rushing up from behind and half jumping to hug him. I caught him on the front sidewalk. He turned just in time to catch me in his arms. The door was still open behind us, leaking warm yellow light into the snowy night. I should’ve been cold, but I barely felt it.
I was crying like crazy and I had no idea why. I was happy–not sad. “I missed you,” I said into his chest.
He pulled me in to him, wrapping me in his warmth. “I missed you, too.”
“I’m sorry I had security drag you out,” I gushed. “Charleston told me it was a real boss bitch move, but I felt really guilty about it. I’m sorry I slammed the door on you, too. That was sort of a reflex.”
“Hey, hey,” he said, shushing me and running his hand down my hair. “I’m the one apologizing here. I deserved all that shit, okay?”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and sank into him. It felt so good. It was almost like I could feel my life suctioning back together–as if it had fragmented into thousands of pieces without me fully realizing it. I’d been more lost than I knew, and Dominic’s arms felt like home.”
“If we do this,” I said, “I’m your girlfriend. Okay?”
He laughed. The sound was deep and low, rumbling through my chest.
“We never made it official last time. This time, it’s officially official. I’m parading you around at parties and stuff. You’ll hold my hand in public. And you’ll kiss me and say something nice when you leave the house.”
He pulled back, grinning. “The house? Are you moving in with me?”
“Um, well,” I said. “I just quit my job and my lease is up in a week. If I don’t move in with you, you’ll have to come see me here.”
He fished in his pocket and produced a key.
I took it, tucking it into my palm and biting my lip. “You sure you want me to move in with you? I’m a super messy cook. I’ll use every pot and pan you have just to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
I looked around us and held my palm out, catching a few snowflakes. “You know, this whole moment reminds me of the ending of Snowy With a Chance of Love.”
“It better. I watched that thing like twenty times to make sure I got my apology right.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You what?”
“I knew you liked the movie. I figured it was a smart place to do my research on properly apologizing.”
“I can’t decide if I should be mad that you saw through me so well.”
“You should be flattered, is what you should be.”
“Is that right?” I asked. I tugged on the lapels of his overcoat, pulling myself closer and kicking one leg up. “I’ll be flattered if you can kiss me as good as Salem kisses Sabrina.”