“Thanks. What are you doing out here instead of in the ballroom?” she whispered in case she was dreaming. Hoping he would say …
“Looking for you.” His dark eyes were trained squarely on her.
“Why?” Hope, that ever-optimistic being, bloomed in her chest.
“Because it was never an option that I wouldn’t.”
Her heart stuttered. Maybe she could make this right. He grasped her arm to guide her out of the way as someone almost bumped into her. Jada barely noticed the other woman. She only had eyes for Donovan.
“You okay?” When she nodded, he gestured to a sofa a few feet away. “Sit with me?”
As she followed him, she tracked his every movement with greedy eyes. It had been so long since she’d seen him. Since she’d been close enough to touch him. She sucked in a breath when he sat next to her, with only a small cushion separating them. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said. Her pulse was thundering loudly in her ears. “You look nice, too.”
His body—his wide shoulders, trim waist, and hard thighs—had been made to wear a tuxedo.
His lips twisted into a brief smile. “Thanks.”
Here was her chance. Time to corral all the thoughts rioting around her brain and let him know what he meant to her.
He spoke before she had the chance. “I’m glad we’re both here tonight. When we were in my office that last time, the conversation didn’t go how I expected it to. You said what you had to say, and I just let you go. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing, but the truth is I was scared.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Scared of what?”
“The feelings you inspire in me. I was coasting through life, sure I had the perfect, logical, predictable plan in place, and you came and blew it all up, and it was exactly what I needed. I want to thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome.” Her heart rejoiced at his admission, but she had to know. “Is that all?” Was he here to get that off his chest and to tell her goodbye forever? Her heart plummeted to the marble floor.
“No.” He rested his arm on the sofa back, so near to her body. She longed for him to close the distance. “I need to apologize to you.”
Jada shook her head, her mind still spinning. “For what?”
“I heard what you were saying, and I wasn’t there for you. I don’t like emotions and feeling out of control, and when things start getting real, I retreat. Instead of offering my support to you, I shut down and pretended I was fine. I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive myself for that. You were doubting yourself, and I didn’t say anything to reassure you. I should have reminded you that you were amazing at the cupcake shop. I should have told you that I love the unpredictability you bring to my life. I love how you make me feel so much, and you made me realize I don’t want to go through life thinking that financial success is all that matters, because it’s not. You saved my business, but more importantly, you saved me.”
Tears welled in her eyes. He wiped them away with a thumb. “Don’t cry yet. I’m not finished.”
She laughed. “My bad. Please continue, sir.”
“You bring joy and love to my life. I love your supposed imperfections. I should have told you I believe in you, and I want you to do the same. I should have told you that you have so much to offer to the world, and I want a front row seat to your continued blossoming.”
Jada couldn’t breathe. Finally, finally, he touched her, linking their fingers. He dropped a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. She witnessed it all through the tears blurring her vision. Thank God for waterproof mascara.
“I should have told you that I love you, and I’ll go to the ends of the earth for you.”
“Really?” she asked, still a little unsure that she, Jada the impulsive screwup, could be so lucky.
“Yes, really, baby. Do you love me?” The touch of shyness in his voice, on his face, melted away any lingering doubts. He’d laid it all out on the line. This man would be there for her always, and she planned on being there for him.
She nodded, then touched her forehead to his. “When I ran into you—sorry about that, by the way—I was rushing to go back into the ballroom to tell you that I love you so, so much. You have no idea. I’m sorry I got scared. I can’t promise that it won’t happen again, but I do promise not to run again. Thank you for being the steadying force I need in my life. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I wouldn’t be experiencing all the good in my life if you didn’t come into my life. Thank you for being you. You are the best man I’ve ever met. You are Donovan Dell, and you are enough, just the way you are.” She caressed his strong jaw, thrilled she no longer had to deny herself the pleasure. “Yes, I love you with all of my heart. I even love you more than my shoes.”