Page 113 of The Meeting
“I’ve missed you so much.”
He tugged her tighter into his chest, not ready to let her go. “I’ve missed you. So many times I wanted to come talk to you, but I didn’t want to make you feel pressured. I tried to stay away, but it was so hard.”
“I almost knocked on your door so many times, but I was worried I would end up doing this to you again. I just wanted to make sure. I’m so sorry.”
He pulled back and looked down at her. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Don’t apologize again for that. If anything, you just made me realize how much I want you.”
She threaded her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck and tugged his face down to hers. He captured her lips with his.
When they broke free, she whispered, “I love you.”
This time, his eyes glistened. His heart soared, and he ran his hand up and down her back.
“I love you. More than you will ever understand.”
Suddenly, the thought of eating dinner and drinking wine didn’t sound so appealing. He wanted to take her back to his place and show her how much he loved her.
Kailynn stepped back. “I almost forgot.”
He watched her curiously as she walked over to the table and bent down to pick up an object wrapped in brown paper.
“I wanted to give this to you.”
Chase gave her a questioning look as he took the item and stepped over to the table to set the rectangular object down. He gently pulled open the paper to reveal a picture. No, a painting.
It was a replica of his favorite postcard from Kit’s Korner that Kailynn had purchased while they were in Montana. She had framed it with white matting and dark wood to complement it. Silence engulfed him and tears pricked his eyes.
No one had ever done something that nice for him. Ever.
Kailynn’s hand touched his back. “I asked Abi to paint this for you. I thought that this way you’ll have a little piece of your home where ever you are.”
Chase took a deep breath and looked over at her. “Thank you, Kailynn. I will treasure this forever.” He pulled her into his arms and squeezed her tight to his chest. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
A voice cleared, and they looked over to find their waiter standing near the entrance to the courtyard.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. I have the first bottle for you to try.” He presented a red wine from Italy.
Chase looked at Kailynn. Perhaps they should eat because the evening would last all night long if he had anything to say about it.
He gestured to the table. “Shall we?”
She nodded and sat in the chair he pulled out for her before he took a seat himself. He carefully wrapped the painting back up and moved it off the table to rest on the ground. She took hold of his hand across the table and the smile never faltered on her face. He squeezed her fingers as the waiter poured them both a small glass of wine.
The waiter told them all about the wine they were trying and the distinct notes that could be tasted in it. Chase took a sip and spoke as if on autopilot. His eyes never left Kailynn. She was his world, and he never wanted to lose her again.
Epilogue
Two Weeks Later
Kailynn sat at her workstation sewing a new design for a dress she had just drawn up.
Maddie sat across the room at her computer, typing away furiously. Kailynn smiled. Things had never run this smoothly when she worked with Drew. Even when their relationship wasn’t on the rocks, there still wasn’t a calm vibe in the room.
Her cell phone rang, and she picked it up without looking at the caller ID. “Hello, this is Kailynn.”
“Hey, it’s me.”
