“The craziest thing of all is . . . I think I’ve fallen in love with you. I know it’s a lot to digest, but—”
“No, no, I completely understand.” Celeste felt as if her heart would burst from joy. She never imagined he would have the same feelings. “I’ve never, ever felt this way, either . . . so . . . crazy . . . so in love . . . as if I’ve known you forever.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Celeste bit her lower lip. “But Roarke, my life is a mess right now. Now that I’m finished with school, I’m trying to find a job in my field and make more money so I won’t have to work at . . . Sig’s Cigar Bar anymore.”
Roarke frowned. “Sig’s Cigar Bar? Is that why you never told me where you work? Those outfits are questionable, and I’ve heard the food and drinks aren’t the only thing for sale there.”
“It’s honest work,” Celeste said defensively, “but I know how people feel about Sig’s, and that’s why I never mentioned it. I didn’t want you to judge me. I don’t envision myself working there much longer.”
“I hope not,” Roarke muttered, still frowning.
“The tip money is good, but I have to admit, not enough. I need to create a better life for me and my daughter. My ex isn’t dependable, so I’m basically a single mom, and I’m struggling. On top of all of that, my mother lives with me.” She looked down at the floor.
Using his finger, Roarke raised her gaze back to his. “Are you trying to talk me out of loving you, because if you are, it isn’t going to work. I’m not going anywhere.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “I swear to God you’re too good to be true, you know that?”
“Have you missed the mess that my life is? My half brother hates me—although that may be changing—my aunt and grandmother are always in my business, trying to marry me off so I can hurry up and have kids, my sister’s a drama queen—”
“It was her wedding. She’s allowed to be dramatic.”
“No. That’s Cassidy all the time. I won’t even tell you about my rowdy friends. Can you handle all that?”
“Is that the worst of it?”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much it.”
She pressed closer. “Then I think we’re going to be fine.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, and they kissed for long moments before withdrawing.
“We better get out of here before we do something else crazy,” Roarke said huskily, reluctantly pulling away from her.
“Like have sex in the middle of an airport?” Celeste asked.
“Yes. I’m not responsible for my actions when I’m around you.” He picked up her luggage and handed her the magazine. She hooked her arm around his. “I just remembered another crazy thing I did,” he said, picking up the pace. “I parked in a no-parking zone in front of an airport. We better hurry before our ride back gets towed, or before Homeland Security adds me to the no-fly watch list!”
Epilogue
“Mommy, hurry! You’re gonna miss it!” Arianna yelled impatiently.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Celeste stacked the last of the glasses on the tray. On her way out of the kitchen, she stopped for a moment and looked at the picture Roarke had pinned to the refrigerator with a magnet—one of Arianna’s drawings of herself, him, and Celeste watching the fireworks on the beach. A foreshadowing of tonight.
Smiling, she walked through the back door. Arianna had already raced back out onto the beach and staked her claim to Roarke’s lap, even though an empty seat next to him was available for her use. At first she’d been shy around Roarke, but he’d charmed her the same way he’d charmed Celeste, and now the two were practically inseparable. Their love of science helped the bond between them develop quickly.
Her mother, Matthew, Cassidy and Antonio, Uncle Reese, and Aunt Iris were also on the beach, sitting with their chairs facing Pier Village so they could see the Fourth of July fireworks. Celeste handed out the drinks and took her seat next to Roarke.
“Love you,” he mouthed before taking her hand and lifting it to his lips.