She paused, wondering if she should say she would understand if he didn’t want to, but wasn’t sure if that was too much or if she’d said it wrong or—

“What did you have in mind?” he asked.

Hope filled her chest, but she told herself not to read too much into the question. “I need a date to a wedding in three weeks. Between now and then I thought we might get some dinner or something. If you’d be interested.”

He didn’t respond in any way. His dark gaze searched her face, no doubt trying to figure out if she meant it this time or if she was going to go cray-cray on him again.

“About the being in love with me part,” he said. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’m in love with you, Thaddeus.”

Putting it out there laid her bare. She felt vulnerable and scared and yet stronger than she ever had.

He crossed to her in three long strides, then pulled her close and kissed her. The second his mouth touched her, the fear left. She was back where she belonged and she knew everything was going to be all right.

They clung to each other, holding on as if they were never letting go.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he told her. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I’m sorry for what happened and how I acted.”

He looked at her and smiled. “I know you weren’t doing it on purpose.”

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t torture you.”

“It was worth it.” He kissed her again. “You’re worth it.”

The band around her heart eased. “I want to be with you, Thaddeus. I mean that. Totally and completely. I love you.”

“I love you, too. Believe me, I tried to get over you and I couldn’t. I guess you’re stuck.”

“Lucky me.” She smiled. “So you’ll be my plus-one at the wedding?”

“I will. Want to stay and go out to dinner?”

She nodded and leaned against him. “So what does your afternoon look like?”

“I might be able to clear my calendar. When do you have to go back to Willowbrook?”

She looked at him. “I told the guys I was hoping to be gone through the weekend.”

One eyebrow rose. “It’s Tuesday.”

“Well, I said I was hoping. If that’s too long I can—”

He cut her off with a kiss. “Stay through the weekend. Stay forever.” He frowned. “Dammit, your business is there. I’m going to have to move to that little town, aren’t I? Dagmar will be thrilled.”

He released her and walked to his phone. After pressing a button he said, “I’m going need you to clear my calendar for the rest of the week. Freddy can handle anything urgent.”

With that, he grabbed his suit jacket and took her hand in his. “Ready?”

“Absolutely.”