Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Change of plans,” I said when she answered. “I need a few more days.”
“For?”
“Sorting through my life. I’m leaving LA.”
“Small-town hero now?” she asked dryly. “You finally figured it out?”
“You could have taken the direct Annie approach instead of all the innuendos and mumbo jumbo you threw at me.”
“I enjoyed watching you chase your own tail.”
“Well, enjoy the long-distance relationship we’re about to have.”
There was silence for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was gentle. “I couldn’t be happier, Oliver. Go get your girl.”
Then she reverted to her usual self.
“I’m still taking twenty percent of everything. And you owe me.”
And she hung up.
Chuckling, I texted Davis, asking if we could meet in the next couple days. He responded a moment later.
You’re still in town? I thought you left.
On my way back.
I forgot something.
??
I grinned as I typed.
My heart.
I got a thumbs-up and a celebration emoji, along with: I’ll call.
Then I counted the minutes. At the rate we were going, I was going to be broke.
And I was good with that.
A short time later, we pulled up in front of Kassie’s place. I handed the driver his money.
“Fifty-three minutes,” I said with a grin. “Nice job.”
He handed me his card. “Anytime, man.”
I climbed from the back seat and headed to the house. Kassie’s door burst open, and she ran toward me. Her hair was a mess, her face blotchy, and she was weeping.
She was fucking perfect.
I dropped my bag and caught her in my arms. She wrapped her legs around me, surrounding me with her warmth. Her scent. Her love. I could feel it everywhere.
I was home.
Finally home.
It took a while to calm her down. After carrying her inside, I held her close, kissing her face, her head, wherever my lips found a spot to nuzzle.
When she let out a long, shuddering sigh, I pushed her hair back and met her still-teary gaze. “Hey, my lovely.”
“Hi,” she murmured, gripping my arms. “Did you mean it? What you said?”
“I love you. I want a life with you,” I stated firmly. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll figure this out.” I kissed her soft mouth. “Together.”
Her grip tightened. “How long are you back for?”
“A few days. We need to sort some things out, then I’ll head to LA and do what I have to do, pack up my place, and come back. For good.”
“Or until the movie starts shooting.”
“We aren’t going more than two weeks between seeing each other. I’m going to have Annie add that into every contract. If I can’t come to you, you’ll come to me.”
“I see.”
I traced her cheek. She looked exhausted.
“I might take a bit of a break. After all, we’re going to need a honeymoon.”
Her eyes widened. “Honeymoon?”
“That’s the tradition after getting married, isn’t it?”
“Married?” she repeated my words again.
I kissed the end of her pink nose. “We’ve been you and me long enough, Kassie. I want us. I want you to be Mrs. Hart. I want to tell the world you’re mine.” I paused, taking in the stunned look on her face. “Unless you don’t want that?”
“Olly,” she whispered. “Two hours ago, I thought I had lost you again. I didn’t know how I was going to cope. And now you’re talking marriage. Honeymoon.”
I grinned and cupped her face. “Be grateful you haven’t heard my thoughts on a new house and filling it with kids.” I kissed her. “Our kids.”
She blinked. “Um, I thought you didn’t want kids. You said so in interviews.”
“I didn’t. But I realized I didn’t want them with anyone else. But I want them with you.”
“Oh.”
“At least two,” I added. “Maybe three. I would really like a little girl.”
“You’re crazy.”
“About you, yes. Totally.” I pulled her to my chest and held her close. “We lost all those years. I’m not wasting another single day with you. As long as you tell me you love me, then we’re together. A done deal.”
“I love you, Oliver Hart,” she murmured into my ear. “I never stopped.”
“Then buckle up, lovely. We’ve got a lot to do.”
“Can we just stay like this for a while?”
I pulled tighter and tucked her head under my chin. “Yeah, we can.” I pressed a kiss to her hair. “For as long as you like.”
We went for a walk later, stopping at the Wong Man. I hadn’t eaten all day, and I was starved. Kassie watched me inhale the food I ordered, her eyes wide.
“Wow,” she mouthed.
I pushed her plate closer. “Eat up. You need your strength. We have a lot of plans to make.”
“I’m not sure I can keep up.”
“You can, I know it. Can I have your spring roll?”
She handed it to me, and I bit into the crispy shell. “Awesome. I get to eat here anytime I want now.”
She nodded, her bottom lip trembling. I set down my fork and reached for her hand. “Hey, lovely. Everything is okay.”