Page 175 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

"Javier."

"It's work."

"Yes."

"You have a business."

"Yes."

"Maddy, you don't have to explain."

"I know." But I do. Because this isn't just work. And pretending it is would be a lie.

"Julian thinks we should take the space."

His eyes meet mine. "What do you think?"

"I don't know." That is the truth. I step closer. "I need to see it. I need to look at the numbers and figure out what it actually means."

"For the restaurant?"

"For everything."

The word hangs between us. I wish I could take it back. Not because it isn't true. Because I see him hear it. He looks past me toward the fields. "When's your flight?"

"Two ten."

"You packed?"

"Mostly."

He nods again. I reach for his hand. He lets me take it. "I'm coming back."

His eyes return to mine. I hear how the sentence sounds only after I've said it. Too much like a promise neither of us asked for. "I mean after the trip."

"I know what you mean."

I step closer. "This isn't me making a decision about us."

Something changes in his face. "I know."

"I need to deal with what's waiting for me in New York. That's all."

He looks down at our joined hands. "Okay."

"That's all you have?"

A faint smile touches his mouth. "You want a speech?"

"No."

"Good. I'm not great at those."

I step closer. "What are you great at?"

His other hand comes to my waist. "This." He kisses me. And for a few seconds, there is no New York. No restaurant. No lease. No flight waiting to take me somewhere I once couldn't imagine leaving. There is only Javier. His hand warm against my back. My fingers curled into his shirt. The quiet sound he makes when I kiss him again instead of stepping away.

When we finally separate, I stay close. His forehead rests against mine. "You should go," he says softly.