He smiled as if the memory made him happy. “When I went to DC the first time, I got your text saying you were thinking about me and missed me. It made me feel good to know you were waiting for me. I told you I didn’t remember much about coming home, but I do remember thinking, ‘Go to Kate.’ I had a vague recollection of this soft voice speaking to me and wondered if I’d dreamed it. When I woke up, I was in your bed and knew it was your voice I’d heard. My phone was plugged in next to me, and you’d put a glass of water on the nightstand. I was already crazy about you, but as I lay there, I thought to myself, ‘I’m in love with this woman. I want to be with her always.’ When we were watching the Christmas fireworks, I said I was falling for you because I thought it was too soon to tell you I loved you. But on New Year’s Eve I couldn’t wait any longer. What about you? When did you know you loved me?”
“When you told me about your dad. You hadn’t shared many personal things with me at that point, and I felt really close to you that night. But you’re right. You did fall in love first.”
“That’s because I’d given myself a pretty big head start. By the time we actually met, I’d already built you up into something special, and it didn’t take long for me to realize I was right. You are special. I meant what I said when I told you I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. But I’ve never hurt anyone the way I hurt you. I can’t undo it, but I’ll never do it again, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your money?”
“Because it’s ridiculous to have been paid so much for doing something I love, and I knew you didn’t care about it.”
“I don’t, but it’s part of who you are. So is your relationship with Phillip and Susan. You said I knew everything, but I didn’t.”
“You do now, and I promise I will never keep anything from you again.”
He wiped a stray tear and glanced at his watch. “They’ll be boarding your flight soon.” He held her hand as they walked to the gate, and then he led her over to a row of chairs. “Want me to bump you up to first class?” he asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “There might still be time if they’re not full.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine in coach.”
A voice came over the loudspeaker announcing the start of the boarding process.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Kate. If you can forgive me and let me love you again, all the pain you’re feeling will go away. If you can’t, I’ll get out of the way and let you live your life. Any man would be lucky to have you.” His voice caught on that last sentence.
“What if you hurt me again?”
“I won’t.”
“How can I be sure?” Kate asked.
He looked into her eyes, and this time they were hopeful. “Because we’re a team.”
The final boarding call came over the loudspeaker, and she glanced anxiously toward the door.
Another plane waited for Kate.
Another decision needed to be made.
“Maybe you don’t want the guy who broke your heart to be the one to help put it back together, but I would be grateful if you’d give me the chance. It’s not often that I don’t have the upper hand, Kate. But this is one of those times. Let me know what you decide.” He kissed her like it was the last time he’d ever have the chance to do it, and then he walked away.
She made her way onto the plane and found her seat. When she thought about being with him again, an incredible feeling of happiness swept over her. He was right: the pain did go away. A future with Ian would require putting her faith and trust in his hands, but he would be hers again and she would be his. They would talk and laugh and love, and every night they would sleep in each other’s arms.
Or she could get on with her life. She could call Stuart and meet him for that drink. See if there was anything left to rekindle, and if there wasn’t, she could start over completely and hope she’d be fortunate enough to find another man she could love the way she loved Ian. But neither of those options filled her with anything other than sadness.
She dug her phone out of her purse and started typing.
Kate: I choose you.
She only had to wait a few seconds for his response.
Ian: I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret it. I love you, sweetness.
Her seatmate noticed the tears rolling down Kate’s face. “Are you okay?” the woman asked.
Kate smiled and said, “These are happy tears.”
She patted Kate’s hand. “Honey, those are the best kind.”