Page 119 of Big Stick Energy
“Ofcourse.” He runs his fingers through my hair. “Not sure how to prove it to you, though. You’re really good at assuming the worst of me—like I’m just interested because you said no, or whatever you’ve decided in this stubborn head of yours.”
I take a deep breath and try to sort through my feelings—it’s a spicy blend of terror, longing, and joy. “I believe that you mean what you say. But I’ve never seen you date anyone for more than a hot second.”
“Yeah, and I’m sick of that,” he insists.
My heart wobbles. “In my experience, people don’t change that much.”
“They change all the time,” he fires back. “My whole perspective on life changed after my brother died. You told me your mother changed a lot after she learned the truth about her marriage. I call bullshit.”
Stunned, I lift my chin and look straight into his clear eyes. “Point to you, Captain. It’s just…” I swallow hard. “I thought that when you finally settled down, it wouldn’t be with…” I can’t even say it.
“What?” He smiles. “A redhead?”
I give my head a slow shake. “The admin,” I whisper.
His forehead furrows. “Sorry? What difference does that make?”
“Oh,please,” I gasp. “I mean—the admin and not a Grammy winner. Or a lingerie model.”
His eyes widen. “You can’t be serious. What have I ever done to give you the impression that I give a fuck what your job is? And, FYI, I’ve learned a thing or two during my adventures. There’s nobody on earth with worse self-esteem than a model. Did you know that?”
Chastened, I shake my head.
“A model knows that everything she has is the result of a genetic accident. And she’s ten pounds or a few wrinkles away from irrelevance. They’re miserable people, Darcy. Butyouare one of the smartest, most capable people I know. Everyone at work knows you’re a badass. Why would you think I don’t?”
“But Eric…” I force myself to breathe. “Okay, this might be a me thing. Not a you thing.”
“You think?” He sounds upset.
“My mother was…” I swallow hard. “My father’s admin. Back in the day. That’s how they met.”
He blinks. And then his shoulders relax. “Oh.”
I nod vigorously, and my eyes are hot all of a sudden. “She spent the last decade telling me never to make the same mistakes she made, okay? Never fall for a guy who has all the money and power.”
His expression softens. “Sorry, baby—I have a lot of power in my quads and glutes. But I don’t think I have a lick of power over you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have spent the last month feeling quite so miserable. The money thing I can’t help, though. Although I did turn down three million dollars today, so maybe there’s hope for me.”
“THREE MILLION?” I shriek. “Eric,why?”
He catches my face in both his hands, taking care to avoid my stitches. “Because I wasn’t all in with Wayfair. I’d rather be all in with you.”
Oh my.Trapped in his clear gaze, I can’t look away.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” he whispers. “Our time together wasn’t long, but it made a real impression on me. I loved having you in my corner, and I know I’d be good in yours, too. If you let me. I want to date you for real. I want all the dinners out and the burnt marshmallow photos. And I want you by my side for whatever painful family events we feel obligated to attend.”
“Oh.” I can’t believe Eric walked away from that absolute mountain of money. And that he was thinking about me when he did it. “Oh.”
“Is that something you want, too?” he asks.
I nod before I can stop myself. Because I do want that. So much.
Chapter 43
Clueless but Eager
Eric
The moment Darcy nods, I feel the knot of tension inside my chest unravel.
