Satisfaction Guaranteed(52)

Wow. That felt good. That felt freeing, like I’m ten pounds lighter.

Doug’s lips twitch. Someone else chuckles. A feminine voice calls out from the living room: “I told you so.”

Doug opens the door farther, and Helena strides over and wraps me in a hug. “I’ve been telling him for the longest time that I thought you and Sloane would make a great couple.”

Doug points at her proudly. “She’s always right.”

Helena drops a kiss on his cheek. “I’m always right.”

Doug parks his hands on his hips, staring at me. “What are you going to do about it, Malone? Are you going to go find her and tell her?”

I part my lips but no words come. I’m flabbergasted. I didn’t expect this response. Reflexively, I rub my jaw. I expected he’d slam a fist into my face or tell me not over his dead body.

I try again to speak, managing only a strangled “But . . .”

Doug laughs. “Cat got your tongue?”

I sputter, “Sir, I just . . . I didn’t think.”

He claps me on the shoulder. “You thought I didn’t know. You thought I’d have a problem with it.”

“Well, you did tell me not to get any ideas when you hired me.”

“Exactly. But that was seven years ago. Of course I didn’t want you going after her then. You were just starting with me.”

I wisely keep my mouth shut about when my feelings started, as Doug keeps talking.

“But over the years, I’ve gotten to know you. I’ve seen you change. You seemed like something of a Casanova at first, but then I came to know other sides of you. I saw how you cared not just for the animals, but for the employees, for the business. I saw how you look out for your mom. How you spend time with your sister. You care deeply for the people in your life. You’re a good man, Malone.”

“Thank you sir,” I say, still shocked that he’s giving me his blessing when I never thought I’d have it offered so willingly.

“Truth be told, once Sloane started working in the practice, I kept thinking you two might be a good fit.”

I shake my head in surprise. “You did?”

He nods, pleased with his matchmaker instincts, it seems. “But as for you, you just thought you should stuff your feelings deep down inside and ignore them. Right?”

Nailed it. “I suppose that’s what I thought.”

Helena laughs. “And how’s that working out for you?”

I shake my head. “Not very well.”

“I appreciate you telling me,” Doug says. “I think it’s fantastic. The young vet and the animal rescuer. I can’t think of a more perfect combination. You’ll be good to my daughter. I’m just glad you had the common sense to figure it out quickly.”

I chuckle silently.

“And to tell me,” Doug adds.

If he only knew how long it’s truly taken.

“Me too,” I say. “Thank you, Doug. I can’t thank you enough.”

He clears his throat. “Listen, I owe you an apology. I know I’ve been all over the place—retiring, not retiring, cutting back, taking off for my trip tomorrow. It’s probably been frustrating from time to time.” He tugs Helena in closer. “But that’s because I’ve been trying to decide what to do next—work or spend more time with this lovely woman. It took me a long damn time to find the right one. I have her now, and there’s nothing that matters more to me than her happiness. I finally know that’s what I should be prioritizing.” He stares at me, import in his eyes. “And there’s nothing that should matter more to you. I have a feeling that’s what your dad would tell you too.”

I smile. That rings so true with my instincts about my Dad. I’m confident in that truth when I say, “I’m pretty sure he would.”

Helena sets her hands on my shoulders, spins me around, and pushes me out the door. “Go get your girl.”

I head toward the door, ready to call Sloane and jet to her place, when I hear Helena on the phone. “Oh good. Glad I caught you. Just tell the cabbie to turn around and then wait in the lobby, hon. He’s coming right down.”

I swivel around. “She was here?”

Doug smiles. “Yeah. She came by a few minutes ago. Left right before you arrived. But I’m going to let her tell you what she said.”

“Good thing she didn’t get too far away,” Helena adds.

“It sure is.”

I run down the hallway, stab the elevator button, and fly downstairs, where I find her in the lobby walking toward me. Perfect timing with the cab.

Her lips are curved in a wild grin. Her flats click against the marble with purpose. Her eyes brim with anticipation and hope.

I don’t waste any time.

I march up to her, cup her cheeks, and make a declaration. “Sloane, I am madly in love with you, and I want us to go to Tahiti every single night.”





46





“Take me there.”

My God, are there any better words?

She kisses me back, tender and loving, making my head spin, my bones hum.

She breaks the kiss, and words spill out like she’s desperate to set them free. “I’m so in love with you, Malone. I came here tonight to tell my dad.”