Page 164 of Worth the Fall

“There is, but not with you two. I’ve already called them and told them you wouldn’t be showing up.”

“Grant . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“I need to say everything.” I laugh as none of this sinks in.

“No, you said all I needed to hear upstairs.” He presses a kiss to the back of my head as Leo whoops at something, and Desi’s cackle rings across the tarmac.

“This is too much, Grant. I can’t—the money⁠—”

“I figured I didn’t need a new patio after all.”

“But you put in all that overtime.”

He shrugs sheepishly. “I assumed if you had a place of your own, you’d be stuck with me. You can’t be a nomad when you have roots. And I want you to have roots, Em. Here. With me. Ones that tangle with mine and can never be ripped out. Lazy Sunday together ones and white picket fence ones.”

“I’m stunned. Shocked. Overwhelmed.”

“This is yours, Em. Your school. Your dream. Yours. My dream has always been you, and I have you. Your dream is the school, and now you have it. Oh, but there’s one caveat.”

“Anything,” I say, still thinking I need to pinch myself.

“The new owner says it’s against code to have someone living in the hangar.”

“He does, does he?” If I could smile any wider, I would.

“Yeah, he’s a stubborn SOB, so I don’t think I can get him to change his mind . . . but I happen to know one half of a king-sized bed that’s unoccupied.”

“I snore.”

“I know.” He laughs.

I turn to face him for the first time and know I could never repay him for what he’s given me. The safety. The security. The love. The friendship. The humor. The opportunity.

“I’ll pay you back. I’ll work harder than⁠—”

“I’ll count on it,” he murmurs as he presses his lips against mine.

“I’ll sign an agreement to⁠—”

Another kiss.

“No worries, I have insurance.” He laughs as he holds our handcuffed hands up. “You’re not going anywhere.”