Reluctantly Yours(95)

I want to see Chloe. I need to see Chloe. I have to get on this lift.

That’s my mantra right now.

Baxter barks.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m coming.”

The entire ride up, I’m sweating. I want to puke but I keep my gaze up. Baxter is sitting calmly beside me and I am unreasonably mad at him. How can he be so calm so high up?

I hold onto Baxter with one hand but my grip is still firmly on the chair lift.

“Sir, you’re going to need to put the bar up,” the attendant says to me as we get closer. My legs are shaky and I’m not even standing yet.

“I know,” I say a bit breathless.

Another beat passes. My eyes are closed tight.

“Sir? The chair lift is going to go around.”

I can’t do it. I’m willing my hands to move to lift up the bar but I can’t. There are alarms going off now and I’m not sure if it’s in my head or really happening.

The sounds are still going as I realize we’ve stopped. The attendant is pulling the bar from my hands and there’s a group of people ahead staring at me. I stand but stumble back a bit before putting Baxter on the ground. I move out of the way just enough for the chair lift to continue and I lean over, trying to take deep breaths. I need my heart rate to slow down.

“Barrett?” I hear Chloe behind me. I want to be excited to see her, but my vision hasn’t returned yet. “Oh my God, are you okay?” I hear her rushing toward me.

I open my eyes and find her there, kneeling in front of me in a lavender dress. Her red hair is pinned back with a few loose strands framing her face. Her blue eyes wide with concern. It seems impossible that she looks more beautiful than the last time I saw her.

“Oh my God! Baxter!!” She laughs as he runs and jumps into her arms, no longer in fear of the alarm I set off. I watch as Chloe massages his ears and rubs her face against his. I was counting on him to help me, not steal the show. “How did you get him back?”

“He never left,” I say, my breathing finally evening out.

Her brows crease with confusion. “He was adopted. I called the foster program.”

“I adopted him.” I clear my throat. “I mean, we adopted him.”

With a final pat to Baxter’s head, Chloe stands.

My hands move to her cheeks. I pull her closer, my forehead presses to hers. Damn. It feels so good to touch her again.

“We were taking pictures. The bridal party. And we heard the lift alarm and I saw you.”

Her hands wrap around my wrists. Initially, I think it’s so she can touch me, too, but she pulls my hands away from her face and steps back.

“I’m glad you’re okay, but I can’t do this.”

Seeing her. Feeling her. I’d forgotten what I wanted to tell her.

“Chloe, wait.” I reach for her hand. “I need to explain. I’m sorry. I messed up. With you. With us.”

She pulls her hand away and crosses her arms against her chest, but she doesn’t make a move to leave. Hope blooms inside my chest. As long as she’s willing to listen, I know I can make it right between us. I have to. I love this woman so much; I don’t know what I’ll do if she walks away again.

I step forward, needing to be closer to her.

“I told Fred about Frankie,” I say.

Chloe’s eyes lift to mine.

“What did he say?”

“That I was wrong. He didn’t want to believe it.”

Chloe nods. “Sometimes you don’t want to believe the worst about the person you love.”

Her statement hurts. I know she’s talking about me. But she also said that she loves me. I hope it’s still true.

“He called off the deal.”

Chloe’s deep inhale is audible.

“I thought he’d understand.” She bites her lip. “Appreciate your honesty.”

I know she thinks I’m devastated about the deal falling through. I shake my head.

“I don’t care about the deal, Chloe. I care about you.” I slide my hand around to her lower back and pull her in close to me. “Yes, the deal was my sole focus. I was determined to convince Fred that I was the man he should sell his company to. I was so determined that I didn’t care that I was using you to get what I wanted. I know I should regret forcing you into a fake relationship, but I can’t. Just being near you makes me a better man. You made me realize I was missing out on life. I’ve fallen for you, Chloe. Hard. I love you and I need you to forgive me for being an ass. For risking what we have for a business deal.”

A tear falls down Chloe’s cheek, but I’m quick to wipe it away.

“Don’t cry.”

“They’re happy tears.” She smiles, then laughs. “I can’t believe you adopted Baxter.”

I smile down at her before running a hand through my hair. “You heard the other stuff, too, right?”

“Hmm?” Her brows rise and her lips quirk to one side. She’s messing with me.

My hands grip her waist, pulling her in closer.

“Please forgive me, Chloe. I messed up, but I want you to be mine. No, I need you to say you’re mine. Because I am yours with no ulterior motives. I love you, Chloe.”

“I forgive you.” Chloe’s face breaks out into a huge smile. “And I love you, too.”